When Adam first saw Eve in the Garden of Eden, can you imagine the expression on his face? His mouth was probably wide open as he stared in amazement. He probably didn't blink for the first few minutes and he no doubt could hardly contain himself when he said, "This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh..." (Gen. 2:23).

Translated into modern language, Adam simply said, "Wow, she's the bomb!" What caused Adam to respond the way he did? I would imagine that beyond her physical beauty and the favor shown him by God, he also saw that she was his equal and uniquely created for him.

Nothing could "wow" Adam like Eve did. She captured his attention and made him feel special. I'm sure he didn't mind fellowshiping with the animals, but Eve made him feel complete and whole. We know this based on Adam's statement, "This is now bone of my bone...."

In essence, Adam recognized that Eve was his firm support in carrying out the will of God. You see, God never created anything without giving it a purpose. Adam's purpose was to cultivate and care for the Garden (Gen. 2:15), and Eve's was to help him. God blessed her with the ability to assist and be a blessing to Adam.

The word help is defined as "one who aids and assists." Meet means "to be adaptable, fit and suitable." Therefore, Eve was created to be a suitable helper for her husband. She was ordained to serve and support her man of God, ultimately fulfilling her purpose.

Follow the Leader
Likewise, in order to understand God's purpose for your life you must spend time with Him, read His Word and pray continually. You must make a conscious decision to submit to His will and follow His lead.

First Corinthians 11:3 says, "...I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." According to this scripture, God has established a divine ordinance for the Body of Christ. In other words, He has set up an authoritative order or chain of command.

So God is the Commander in Chief, the One Who has final authority over all. Christ, Who is the head of man, is next and then man. The head simply means to be the one in charge or the leader.

A wonderful aspect about God is that He doesn't play favorites. Submitting to His established authority applies to both single and married. Yes, He wants husbands and wives to submit to each other (Eph. 5:21-26).

But He doesn't have a set of rules for one group, and a different set for another group. In His divine order, everyone who walks in His will becomes a beneficiary of His blessings. And God's will is His Word. It is the final authority. Your responsibility is to pattern yourself after it.

Unfortunately, submission has become a curse word to some women, especially wives. Oftentimes, when a woman hears the word submit, she automatically thinks, Oh no, here's another lecture on submission. From God's perspective, however, submission is the ability to serve under His established guidelines.

It makes more sense when you understand the meaning of the word. The prefix sub means "under," and mission is defined as "an assignment or vision to be carried out." When you submit your will to God, you position yourself under His vision. In essence, you support His vision and help to make it a reality. You see, God has given you the ability to do it. No matter what it takes, He wants you to fulfill your destiny.

I have seen this happen in my own life. God has empowered me to support my husband and fulfill the work He has called us to do. The Lord has given us a world vision, and I'm blessed to do my part. He has given us a mandate to teach the Word with simplicity and understanding. But it would be silly for me to go against God's will and pursue a different goal.

For me to do that would be rebellious and would keep me out of the will of God. Besides, who wants to go through the headache of learning things the hard way? Instead, my duty is to follow my husband's example of godliness and integrity as he follows the Lord. And my willingness to serve and follow him pleases God and allows Him to prosper me in every area of life.

A Woman's Place
God knows what's best for you, too, and He wants to keep you from stumbling on the way to your success. That's why He has anointed you with the ability to accomplish great things. That's right! You are anointed to make things happen and no one can stop you when you're in your proper place.

Knowing your place in God's perfect will is essential to your spiritual growth. You must grow in the Word of God, make the necessary adjustments in order to live by it, and position yourself to receive the Lord's instructions. In other words, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

Your skillfulness in studying the Word and applying it to your life, determines your level of spiritual maturity. It's a matter of walking in line with what God says so you can fulfill your purpose.

Have you ever heard the saying, "A woman's place is in the home"? Honey, the truth of the matter is, a woman's place is in the will of God. Let me say that again: A woman's place is in the will of God! According to God's divine plan, a wife's place is by her husband's side-supporting him as he follows Christ!

The Father has ordained that you pattern yourself after godliness and submit to your husband. And as he submits to Jesus, there are certain instructions that the Lord will speak directly to him. Initially, you may not agree with the instructions or feel like making your plans fit what the Lord has spoken. But remember, your feelings won't change God's will.

Child of God, you may think that your career is what brings you success, but living in constant submission to God's will—His Word—is the way it's achieved. It doesn't matter what your occupation is.

The Word of God says: "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah)" (Col. 3:23-24 AMP).

World Changers Church International, Inc.
Creflo Dollar Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.