Submission is not a topic most people like. There’s such negativity affiliated with it, that we don’t even want to think about it, let alone talk about it.
While it is true that submission is hard to do because we simply want to be the ones in control, I believe it is also because we don’t fully realize how beneficial it is for us to live submitted lives to God. I pray that the following word picture will help you understand that in reality…
Submission is a beautiful word!
Picture a colorful scarf blowing in the breeze. Its movements are one of grace and beauty. Just looking at it puts a smile on your face. Even after being blown about severely, its beauty remains, none the worse for wear.
Now take that same scarf and starch it. It still has beauty, although diminished. But when strong winds come, it becomes tattered, bent out of shape, and torn in spots. It has lost its loveliness.
What made the difference?
FLEXIBILITY
This scarf is an outward manifestation of our heart’s condition. If our hearts are pliable, then our lives will be beautiful to God and onlookers. Additionally, we will be usable for God’s purposes because we are flexible. The opposite is also true.
I used to get so bent out of shape with the slightest breeze of trouble or inconvenience. Hyper, easily flustered, impatient, super-sensitive and thus easily hurt described me to the T. I was not a happy camper or fun to be around. (How in the world did my husband ever put up with me?!)
Gratefully, after I got saved the Lord began to change me. He had His work cut out for Him, though (and still does). But He is the God of the impossible.
More and more He is teaching me to relax and go with the flow—His flow; yielding to His will in everything.
This is a remarkably better way to live!
God can change anyone if they are willing. Just look at Peter—before and after the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 12:1-7 we read Peter was arrested and was waiting to stand trial before King Herod who had just killed James for his faith. There he was sleeping—deeply. The angel had to strike Peter to wake him up! That’s not how I would have reacted, nor Peter beforehand. But now he wasn’t worried; he had developed a quiet trust in God for his fate.
How does that type of drastic change come about?
It can only happen by a humble submission to God. We have to be willing to let God have His way with us; allowing Him to remove the junk from our minds and hearts.
“Be still, and know that I am God…I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps 46:10)
Be still in the original language means to cease striving; to stop fighting against God who is the One to be exalted on the earth and in our lives.
We need to develop a pliable heart
If we want to come out un-shredded in the tumultuous winds of life, we must yield to God’s hands as He molds us into the likeness of His beautiful Son.
For most people submission is a dirty word. But I have found it to be a beautiful one!
Living a submitted relaxed life is beneficial not only for us but to those around us. Its beauty is attractive to a lost and empty world, and an encouragement to believers to live God’s way—the best way.
A surrendered life depicts lovely, graceful movement orchestrated by the grace of God.
But most importantly it is beautiful because it is so in His eyes. He looks upon a compliant heart with deep satisfaction as to what He has produced, and with joy as to what He can now do with His obedient child.
So until next time, my friends…
…Clothe yourselves with…the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:4 NLT)
P.S. Stay tuned for next week’s blog when I will tell you what my favorite word picture for submission is. You may be surprised that it involves one of my kitties!
Helpful Blogs
How to Live God’s Way—Simplified See this blog on how to get a submissive attitude
Chill Out: 3 Keys to Relaxing in the Craziness of Life
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