Men, Women, and Humility

I've haven't heard anyone talk about this

The existence of two different genders is an interesting thing. You have two beings of the same species and same basic design, anatomically differing in one major body system: The reproductive system. And those two diverse beings must connect in order to create new life.

But why not just make all people the same, and then take care of reproduction by giving people the ability to clone themselves, or give them replicating machines in which they can generate babies, or let new people ripen on vines? Why make it necessary to have two different kinds of people in order for life to exist?

Why?

Perhaps there are myriad reasons. But one especially intrigues me. It seems to me that tethering beings in pairs of complimentary twos is the best and most effective way to achieve and maintain eternal humility. Because men and women are different and complimentary and the two of them must be bound together to achieve the kind of wholeness that perpetuates life, this invites each half of the pair to continuously consider and revere the other half.

If there is always something that someone else does or inherently possesses (or simply is) which you cannot ever fully become or achieve yourself, this prompts respect for otherness—a reverence for that which is not you, which is good. As men and women, we are different and yet we are both necessary and good. This is meant to inspire respect, interdependence, and even awe.

If there is someone who is different from you who brings unique excellence to the table, then you must concede that otherness can be excellent even though it is not you. This keeps pride in check.

So God made two kinds of people. The necessary pairing of these unlike, complimentary souls breeds not only children, but an acute awareness of otherness—a recognition of something different from the almighty SELF. In this way, gender serves as a prime way God helps us move from self-centeredness to other-centeredness and eventually, to love.

With love,

Kimberly

P.S. If you missed my Father’s Day post, read it HERE. Happy Father’s Day!