Submission Revisited

This morning one of my clients told me about some upcoming events slated for the near future, and what his plans were regarding them. Frankly, I didn’t like his ideas. It isn’t just that I "didn’t like his ideas," but I don’t see them as being good for his business. In the past, if something of that nature had come up, I would have done one of two things. I would have shrugged my shoulders, said, "It’s his business," and mentally walked away from the situation, or I would have tried to convince him of my opinion. This time I did something different.

This time, I dropped the topic and talked to the Lord about it, instead.

What’s more, I know He heard me.

This is the thing about submission that seems to be overlooked. I’m not required to simply submit to someone else’s plan, no questions asked. Every one of us is responsible first and foremost to submit to the Lord. Yes, wives are expected to submit to their husbands, rather to just any man, in general, but before she submits even to him, she must submit to the Lord.

You may not think that is particularly good news, but I can tell you that’s the best news you’ve heard in a while. When we submit to the Lord, He hears us.

I don’t think I can describe to you how wonderful this is, in every situation. I am submitted to someone who loves me so much that he gave himself for me. That’s a lot of love. That’s immeasurable love, in fact. In some ways it is scary to let go of my own timing and my own will, but at the same time there is nothing safer than to put myself in his hands. This is not "You like me, you really like me," this is the greatest love that anyone could have for another person. There isn’t an ounce of selfish desire in the love that Christ has for me.

If we could begin to grasp this level of love, we might not fight God so much. We might rest a little more, and have better marriages and better relationships in every direction. We wouldn’t get ourselves in such messes, or get our noses hurt by so many doors slamming into them. I can look back (and if you’re honest, you probably can, too) and see that nearly all of the memorably painful moments in my life came because I was pushing for my own way or my own time or my own thing, and not submitting to God.

There is some pain on this side of things, too, of course. Submission means waiting sometimes when you don’t want to, and sometimes it means moving forward when you’re scared to death. But it also means you have God’s ear, all the time, because you’re right alongside him. It means that when He’s finished mixing the cookie batter, you get to lick the beater.

That’s "mmmm" good!

If this message has been forwarded to you, and you would like to be added to Charissa’s mailing list please send your request to info@charissaschalk.com. Thank you.