Wife, Submit to your Husband

Bible Verse:

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” ~ Ephesians 5:22-23 NKJV

Joji Villanueva, owner of Not of this World (N.O.W.!) Productions, lived out this verse wholeheartedly when she opened her photography business. She was content working as a Personnel Manager in a company when her husband pushed her to start a photography business. Her husband wanted Joji to take care of the family while pursuing a different career.

In 2005, she started accepting clients. Having no background in photography, she pursued this career as submission to her husband. But she also asked the Lord whether photography was the business He wanted her to pursue. She prayed like Gideon who sought the Lord saying, “…look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” Judges 6:37

After only covering two wedding events, she became a finalist in the Wedding Photojournalism Contest in 2006. The Lord had answered her prayer! For the next two years, she garnered escalating awards for the same contest. Isn’t that enough confirmation from the Lord?

Her trust in God was obvious. But even more extraordinary is how Joji met Jesus.

Joji’s talent in acting is notable. Especially when she played the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispin in Jose Rizal’s novel, Noli Me Tangere, during their high school stage play.

She finished Psychology in college and completed her MBA. Joji clearly was funny, smart, yet a very cautious young woman. She was a good girl who wanted to wait the right thing. She believed that her piety would warrant God’s approval. That is why when a stranger shared the Gospel to her in college, she brushed it off because she sincerely believed she was good enough. But the Lord was not done with her yet.

While working as a Personnel Manager, one of her officemates reintroduced Jesus Christ to her. Her eyes and heart were finally opened to the truth. The Bible verses that her officemate were sharing made sense. She realized how depraved she was and her devoutness can never pay for her sins. Her good works will not bring her to heaven. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and surrendered her life to Him completely. Jesus was the only way to heaven. This officemate who shared the gospel to Joji became her husband.

Photography not only became a career but a ministry.

In fact, she heads the Multimedia Ministry in her home church in Laguna. She continues to study the Bible as she finds comfort in God’s word. The Bible also instructs her especially in her dealings with other people. She is in constant communication with God through prayer. She also teaches the Bible to kids at Sunday school and occasionally at a Women’s Bible Study group.

In her photography business, Joji makes sure that the Lord is glorified. She mentions that if her motive was for self-glorification then her work is useless. Her motivation to take the best photos of her clients is to honor God.

The awards and praise of her clients and friends, remind her of God’s calling to her. He has allowed her gift and business to flourish. She is content with serving Him in church and in helping create memories for her clients through photographs.

Ms. TM says:

My coffee date with Joji was very inspiring. I understood how important it is to submit to my husband. The Lord appointed the husbands to be the head of the family. If God calls me to submit to my husband, I am ultimately submitting and honoring God’s design for marriage. Our conversation also opened my eyes to learning my spouse’s love language. After taking the Love Language Test, I discovered that my husband and Joji’s husband’s love language is touch. Since this is not my love language, I am slowly learning how to show love to my husband.

I applaud how she honors her husband too. Because of her submission to her husband, she has become an award-winning photographer. Though this was not what she planned to do, she obeyed God. The Lord took care of her, helped her hone her talent and provided her with good clientele.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for the gift of marriage. I know that my husband is also my gift from you. Help me to honor and submit to him as a result of my love for you. Enable me to trust your design for marriage and how you have appointed my husband to be leader of our family. Soften my heart especially when it is difficult to submit. Remind me that my submission to my husband is my way of honoring you, Lord.

Help me trust your provision, your plans, and your timing. Allow me to focus on the present and not be anxious about tomorrow. Help me also to focus on you especially at work and remind me to keep in step with your purpose for me. Give me strength and wisdom moment by moment as I am always distracted with the busyness of life. Help me be still, learn to slow down, and listen to you.

I thank you for the talent you have given me. May I remain faithful in using these talents for your glory and that I remain humble at all times. Keep me grounded especially when people applaud my achievements. May I always point to you as the only source of love, joy, and peace. May your light continue to shine bright in my life. I ask all of these in your mighty name, Amen.

You may get in touch with my friend Joji through the following contact details:

Not Of this World (N.o.W.!) Productions

Address 1: Las Fallas Condominium, San Jose Residencias, Santa Rosa City (beside Enchanted Kingdom)z
Address 2: Banay-banay, Cabuyao City
Website: www.jojivillanuevaphotography.com
Email: now_productions@yahoo.com
Mobile number: 09178335173