Submit

 When I find myself in a situation where I am frustrated with an individual, or circumstance, most of the time God is trying to show me something about myself that I need to correct or change. I have a very hard time confronting someone because in a sense I am confronting myself. Recently, I had to put a mirror to myself and think really hard about a moment that pushed me over the edge where most people wouldn’t have gotten frustrated.

 

While making breakfast I started reading my prayer journal and reviewing the previous verse and trying to see if I could get anything from God.

 

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do. And he will establish your plans” Proverbs 16:3

 

I mean, I follow God and I am committed to him. I follow what He asks, for the most part. There is some complaining. I asked myself over and over. God what is it that you are trying to show me. I replayed the moment again and again. Then God hit me, like a homerun ball hitting someone not paying attention in the stands. 

 

Committing to something is different than submitting.

 

UH-OH!!!! I used a bad word. Submit. Most women hate that word. Let me redirect your thinking. 

 

In the Bible, Submission is PRIMARILY AN ACT OF WILLING RESPECT AND HONOR TOWARDS A PERSON IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY, PARTICULARY GOD, BUT ALSO EARTHLY AUTHROTITIES AND SPOUSES.

 

Re-read that please.

 

I tell my kids, DAILY, the “Who has God set over you? My parents and all who have proper authority over me.”

 

But do I really think about that for myself. Obviously I know that my husband is over me because I believe that he is the head of my home and that we work together for things but he makes the final decisions. But I have a problem with other authorities. 

 

I mean come on. You can’t tell me what to do. Don’t you tell me I can’t do something when I know exactly what I’m capable of. My mama didn’t raise no quitter. I’ll show you. Ha, that’s cute, you just don’t think I can. I’ll prove you wrong. Don’t put me in the same box as everyone else here, I’m my own person. Do any of these things sound familiar?

 

“Submission should also be understood as a demonstration of humility and trust.”

 

Ouch, I said it again! Let me use a few biblical examples shall we. 

 

Abraham and Isaac. In Genesis 22 we find a Father who was committed to God but had to make a choice to submit to the instructions to take his son up the mountain to kill him. It was a choice that he had to make out of respect. He had to choose to trust God and do what he asked and a lamb was supplied as a sacrifice.

 

Noah. In Genesis 7 – 9 We see the story of Noah. He was a follower of God who had to make a choice to obey God’s instruction when they had never seen rain. He trusted God and built an Ark while people laughed at him. How humbling would it be for someone to have to be picked on daily and continue to obey what God has asked. 

 

Jesus. Voluntary Surrender. Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-44. I want us to look at the account in Luke. 

 

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. ⁴⁰ When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

⁴¹ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” ^43 [a]Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus was willing to submit to the point of death on a cross. You and I are supposed to be willing to be like Christ. Are our actions reflecting that of Christ or are we spending time complaining about the little things? Are we spending more time trying to tear down the things that we don’t agree with or are we saying, ‘if that is your will then I will obey.” I’m not saying that there isn’t going to be times that we don’t disagree or have to have conversations with the authorities that we have in place. 

 

What I’m saying is that opening doing it in a group of people is not the place. Would you stand up in the middle of your church service and bash your Pastor? Or would you go to him in private and have a conversation with him? Even though you don’t agree with something he says, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a conversation and understand where they are coming from. Maybe he didn’t realize it came out in that fashion or maybe he was in the wrong and he needs to be corrected. 

 

We are called to be leaders and a leader leads by example. Jesus didn’t go to the garden and complain to his Father and tell him that he didn’t want to do it. He said, If it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Not, “Don’t you tell me what to do. I’ll show you. I’m not gonna die for these selfish people. These people aren’t worth it. They are just going to spit on your name. Why do you care so much?” 

 

Are we following by his example? Are we getting instruction from those who are in authority over us and saying, “Yes. I’ll do my best.” Then going to lead others with that example. Think too. How do you want others to be treating you as a leader if you were giving instructions to them. 

 

I’m just as guilty as the next person. I honestly have caught myself complaining about a lot of situations lately. And the funny thing is that the next scripture in my prayer journal is…..

 

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:18

 

When we find ourselves beginning to start grumbling, maybe we should begin to thank God for something. We need to start being obedient like Christ. Replace our complaining with Thanksgiving.