The creation and the calling...
The creation of woman was not an afterthought. Man was designed and created with her coming creation planned and assured.
"It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." -Gen. 2:18
Helper does not imply inferiority (Gen. 1:27); it describes function rather than worth. God identified Himself as a "helper" (Heb. 'ezer) to Israel (Ex. 18:4; Deut. 33:7). No one loses value in humbly assuming the role of helper. As a "helper" to the man, the woman became his partner spiritually in the overwhelming task of obedience to God and dominion over the earth. She was a vital part in "filling the earth" (Gen. 1:28). The woman, as ultimate friend to the man, would bring him comfort and fellowship (Gen. 2:23,24). No one else could encourage and inspire him as she was created to do (Gen. 2:20). The phrase "comparable to him" (Heb. kenegdo) occurs only in Gen. 2:18 & 20, emphasizing the commonality of the man and the woman. "Designed as the perfect counterpart for the man, the woman was neither inferior nor superior, but she was alike and equal to the man in her personhood while different and unique in her function."
Woman and man were both created in God's image (Gen. 1:27)- woman corresponds perfectly to the man, the same flesh and blood, and in "the image of God", equal to him in every way. By the creative act itself, she is inseparably linked to the man (Gen. 2: 21-23). From this act by God, the unity of the race is assured (Gen 1:27-28), woman's dignity and worth is affirmed (Gen. 2:18, 20, 22), and the foundation for Christian marriage is set forth (Gen 2:24).
Knowing and understanding where we came from, what we are designed for, and where our worth really lies as women helps us to understand, learn, and embrace our greater calling as the women God formed us to be. The key to this "greater calling" in life is found in the key verse: "I will make him a helper..." for "it is not good that man should be alone"(Gen. 2:18), "for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him" (NKJV, or "suitable" or "fit for him" in NASB & ESV respectively).
Following is the story of a woman who embraced this greater calling in life- dedicating her life to being her husband's helper in his calling and ministry, laying aside her first love and calling- missions in China. She laid aside being a full time missionary in China, something she had desired from a young age, to fulfill her God made calling as her husband's helper, friend, encourager, cheerleader, and trusted confidant. She exemplified how a Christian woman can be both strong and independent, yet gentle, quiet and submissive. What a truly beautiful calling that is, fulfilling your biblical role laid out at the beginning of creation... what a true blessing it would be to have the same words spoken of us one day. "We were called by God as a team"- Billy Graham
1 Cor. 11:9-12: "Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man... nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord... all things are from God."
Prov. 18:22: "He who finds a good wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord".
Ruth Graham's biography
"Ruth Bell was born in China, the daughter of medical missionaries. As a young girl there in the small hospital compound, Ruth first sensed the great calling to abandon all for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her childhood was spent on China’s mission field surrounded by disease, despair, and the eventual disorder and chaos of civil wars. The suffering she observed only strengthened in her the conviction of mankind’s need for the Savior. Until her early adult years, she dreamed of serving as a single missionary in a far corner of the world—the mountainous nation of Tibet. Under terrible homesickness during boarding school, Ruth learned to overcome the loneliness of being far from loved ones by taking care of the needs of others. She went to the United States at the age of 17 to attend Wheaton College. Shortly after her arrival on campus, she was introduced to “Preacher,” the nickname other students gave the strapping Billy Graham. The couple began courting, and so also began a struggle in Ruth between what she thought was her calling to the mission field and her blossoming love for the driven young evangelist. In late April 1941 after much struggling in prayer, Ruth realized her life’s mission was to be bound up in Billy’s passion for evangelism. They were married in August 1943, following graduation.
Ruth’s ministry flourished in the mountains of western North Carolina, where she built the family homestead and raised five children-sometimes single-handedly while her husband was away. Ruth treasured her role as the strong woman behind “America’s Pastor” and was Billy’s closest confidant, most trusted advisor, and dearest friend. She loved to move behind the scenes, away from the spotlight, and helped him craft and research sermons and even books.
“My father would not have been what he is today if it wasn’t for my mother,” son Franklin said. “She stood strong for what was biblically correct and accurate. She would help my father prepare his messages, listening with an attentive ear, and if she saw something that wasn’t right or heard something that she felt wasn’t as strong as it could be, she was a voice to strengthen this or eliminate that. Every person needs that kind of input in their life, and she was that to my father.”
“I don’t believe Mother has adequately been recognized and honored for what she had done; because, without her, Daddy’s ministry would not have been possible,” said Ruth Graham, regarding her mother’s influence and partnership in her father’s ministry.
“How does one live with one of the world’s most famous men?” daughter Ruth continued. “God began training my mother for this position years ago in China. Her parents exercised a profound effect upon the development of her character, and laid the foundations for who she was. What she witnessed in her family home, she practiced for herself—dependence on God in every circumstance, love for His Word, concern for others above self, and an indomitable spirit displayed with a smile.
“Her happiness and fulfillment did not depend on her circumstances,” the younger Ruth concluded. “She was a lovely, beautiful, and wise woman, because early in life she made Christ her home, her purpose, her center, her confidant, and her vision.”
Ruth Bell Graham was always a vital part of Mr. Graham’s evangelistic career, and he turned to her for advice and input about many ministry decisions. After her upbringing in China and high school experience in Korea, she continued to have a burden for the people of Asia. She encouraged her husband to visit and later accompanied him during his historic visits to the People’s Republic of China.
“My father would not have been what he is today if it wasn’t for my mother,” son Franklin said. “She stood strong for what was biblically correct and accurate. She would help my father prepare his messages, listening with an attentive ear, and if she saw something that wasn’t right or heard something that she felt wasn’t as strong as it could be, she was a voice to strengthen this or eliminate that. Every person needs that kind of input in their life, and she was that to my father.”
“I don’t believe Mother has adequately been recognized and honored for what she had done; because, without her, Daddy’s ministry would not have been possible,” said Ruth Graham, regarding her mother’s influence and partnership in her father’s ministry.
“How does one live with one of the world’s most famous men?” daughter Ruth continued. “God began training my mother for this position years ago in China. Her parents exercised a profound effect upon the development of her character, and laid the foundations for who she was. What she witnessed in her family home, she practiced for herself—dependence on God in every circumstance, love for His Word, concern for others above self, and an indomitable spirit displayed with a smile.
“Her happiness and fulfillment did not depend on her circumstances,” the younger Ruth concluded. “She was a lovely, beautiful, and wise woman, because early in life she made Christ her home, her purpose, her center, her confidant, and her vision.”
Ruth Bell Graham was always a vital part of Mr. Graham’s evangelistic career, and he turned to her for advice and input about many ministry decisions. After her upbringing in China and high school experience in Korea, she continued to have a burden for the people of Asia. She encouraged her husband to visit and later accompanied him during his historic visits to the People’s Republic of China.
"Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team,” Mr. Graham said of his life-long marriage and ministry partner. “No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.
“I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we’ve had in the mountains together,” Mr. Graham continued. “We’ve rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven.”
“I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we’ve had in the mountains together,” Mr. Graham continued. “We’ve rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven.”
Bedridden or wheelchair-bound since the late 1990s, Mrs. Graham wasn’t able to accompany her husband during his last few years of ministry, but was always a continued source of inspiration and support for him through her prayers and wise biblical counsel."
"There never would have been a Billy Graham, if it weren't for Ruth Graham"- Ned Graham
“As I grew older I realized that my parent’s love for one another was deeper than just the look in their eyes each time one of them came into the room. Their love was based on more than their physical and emotional attraction. It was based on solid, uncompromising commitment—first to Jesus Christ, second to the institution of marriage, and then commitment to each other.” -Gigi Graham Tchividjian, daughter
“My mother taught me by her example that Jesus is everything. He was the wellspring of her love and joy and peace that overflowed into our home. His presence was enough to ease the pain of her loneliness without Daddy. His power was enough to get her through the day, for all practical purposes, as a single parent. I have no doubt that the reason I love Jesus and I love my Bible is because she did… she planted those seeds in my heart long ago.” (Anne Graham Lotz, daughter)
"The heart of her husband safely trusts her... She does him good, not evil, all the days of her life... Her husband is respected at the city gate... She watches over the ways of her household... her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her: ...'Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." -Proverbs 31: 11a, 12,27a, 28, 30
References:
NKJV Women's study bible
