Submit

I really hate that word.
I don't even like the word hate.
But the word "submit" brings out the worst in me.
maybe that's the point, though.

God asked me to do this.
Well not just me
all of us
(who follow Him).

Submission starts when
we are captured by His love.
And we simply must have more of it.
We crave it
long to dive in,
wish to be consumed by it.

In the process,
we submit
to God's invitation
for relationship.

We surrender our life to God.
We ask that His life would fill us
and we would be transformed by it.
We ask that His Word would change us
and His will would be our guide.

Wait.
I think that all gives me too much credit.
Honestly, God in His kindness
offers me freedom from the
things that have me enslaved.

In foolishness,
I (for a time) rebeled from His offer.
Thinking somehow the captors
offer me joy (more rewarding)
than the freedom,
peace and joy
the Lord offered.

Perhaps that is the cruelest thing
about our flesh.
It fears and despises the freedom
we are given as a reward,
as our inheritance!

The lie is that our freedom
is more restrictive than captivity.
The lie is that His joy
is somehow less than
the futile (temporary) counterfeit high,
offered by our enemy.

The lie is that we will have less
if we submit our will
to Him.

Perhaps you have no problem with all that.
Perhaps the problem only arises when we are told to
submit to a human.

God is your authority.
Not humans.
Maybe your flesh feels "safe" in this thought.
And "unsafe" about submitting to a human
(even one in authority over you).

They might hurt you.
They might lead you wrongly.
They might take away your freedom.
But you gave your freedom to God.
And He gave you freedom from your captor
(sin, Satin, and death.)

If you obey the Lord and submit to:
your parents,
your spouse,
your boss,
and all Christians,
you are submitting to God's command.

If you do not submit to:
your parents,
your spouse,
your boss,
and all Christians,
you are not submitting to God's commands
or God.

It is not possible to obey God,
without obeying God.

Maybe you have no problem with all this,
unless there is abuse.
Let's face it,
humans abuse power,
and those under them.

Two things give me consolation as I meditate on this.
1-God is all powerful (not impotent).
2-I am God's.

He will not let me suffer apart from
His will,
protection
and provision.

The working out of the details
when it comes to abuse
of all kinds,
is a matter of the Holy Spirit's guidance

and the guidance of those
whom God puts in your life to help you.
He did not leave us as orphans.
He guides,
protects,
advises
and consoles.
He rescues,
redeems,
and uses all things for our good.

We can trust Him.

God bless you as you take your will to obey,
and surrender to His will,
His love motivated,
perfect will,
for you and your life,
salvation,
sanctification,
and eternal joy.