City Life Starter

By Blesson Selvanesan

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

The scripture is clear that God created male and female in the image of God. Both sexes were created to play a complementary role and not a competing role. God gave them responsibilities and dominion over everything. He said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28). He gave them joint custody of all the creation. He did not tell them to compete with one another as they are endowed with the complementary set of skills and mandated them to complete each other.

Men and women are different. They are different genetically, biologically, psychologically, emotionally. Recent studies including my own research show that they are different metabolically and even at the molecular circuitry level. We need to understand that the differences exist at a fundamental level. However, man and women do have a lot of things in common, let’s not be carried over by the differences alone. The differences are to be celebrated as they bring complementary skill sets in a family, workplace, church, and society.

I have seen men degrading women, just because these men are powerful. I have seen it in families, cultures and at workplaces. Scripture is clear that it’s in violation of God’s command. It is sinful. It is a direct violation of God’s command. This kind of toxic masculinity is contrary to biblical teaching. I have also seen the opposite, extremely domineering and heavy-handed women who trash on men just because of who they are. A few years back heard a well-educated impressive woman talk about men ‘…they are just sperm donors…’ really! Toxic feminism has also created chaos by pitching men against women ignoring the biological reality. We need to realize that we are a team and we are better together.

On a lighter note… unlike Scott Fiddler who wrote about this topic earlier this week, I did read the book titled “Men are Mars, Women are from Venus” by John Gray when I was a college student. I thought I understood women and I was enlightened! And then several years later, I got married to this beautiful woman. Oh Boy! How wrong I was. I soon realized that John Gray had no clue. I had no clue. I found out that we are not from Mars and Venus. We are from one planet called Earth and we needed a savior.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for creating us as men and women in your image. Help us to be respectful of each other and be a part of a team that will serve you together. As the world pitches battles between men and women, help us remember always that we are one team. Help us to serve you in whatever capacity we are with love, admiration, and appreciation for one another. In Jesus Name. Amen.