Controversial words. Carefully and intentionally chosen for this blog. I find them tragically controversial. Their controversy, is an attack, on my vital role: daughter of God, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. In that order.
Those who know me well would describe me as anything but submissive. I carry a strong personality full of grit and determination. I have spent the better part of my life in pursuit of independence, success, and happiness. Some have described me as feisty. Others as sassy. Some as kind and gentle which leaves the aforementioned exchanging looks that loudly yet silently say, “they don’t know her like we do.”
For several years, I have, painfully at times, pursued submissiveness. I recognize in this culture, that pursuit is scoffed, mocked, discouraged, and seen as weak. Respectfully yet not timidly, rather with boldness, I say, I beg to differ. It is the single most important “thing” I pursue as a daughter of God, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
At this point, some of you are so offended you have decided to close out this blog. Others are feverishly steaming with inner fires of frustration and appalling gasps as you skim quickly through the rest of the blog to leave your scathing comments. Some of you are intrigued at how I could possibly, with intention, pursue submission. There may be a few of you who are excitedly awaiting the rest of the story to see if we really do align in our thoughts.
There are many scriptures that speak to the power of submission of which many have likely read and agreed or disagreed with, nevertheless, they are in fact still truth. Our human understanding and fleshly lens of perspective does not waver truth of Gods timeless word. Yes, timeless word. For all of time. Even, THIS time. You see, the culture within which we live, the day and age of now, was not outside of the knowledge of God when he inspired the Holy Scriptures for you as a roadmap for life. Yes, you.
There are a few scriptures I would like to share in relation to the support of my pursuit of submission.
The Steps I Take
My steps direct the path of life I journey upon. Either direction I go leads me to an end of destruction or eternal life. There is no in between. The path is rugged, narrow, dark at times, and difficult to know what lies ahead lurking in the bushes as I pass by. Life is hard. Even on the good days. My deepest desire is to step in alignment with the ordained steps the Lord has laid before me for many reasons. Not the least of them is because I know that he is good and sovereign. He never leaves nor forsakes me. If I will walk the path of life in alignment with his goodness, he delights in the very details of my life. All of my life. There is blessing there I desire to receive and he desires to give.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”
Psalms 37:23-25 NLT
I choose to submit my steps to him. If he says move, I move. If he says stay, I stay. Then I know I will not fall for the Lord holds me by the hand, unless, of course, I let go of his hand submitting to my flesh instead of him.
The Decisions I Make
As I navigate my life, I desire to do so in accordance with his wisdom, guidance, and counsel. Because his thoughts are higher than mine. He knows my yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He’s already been in the moments yet to come. I have not. I see the surface. My eyes are limited to the outward display of behaviors shown to me by others and myself. His are not. He sees and knows the intentions of the heart. For myself, husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, and others. I trust that he knows best. I trust that he loves us more than we love ourselves or each other. Because he is sovereign, good, merciful, kind, gracious, and loving, I lean into his understanding. Not my own.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT
The older I become, the more health in my body and strength in my bones appeals to me. I am not willing to submit to my own wisdom as it will lead me astray. I will, because of my limitations as a human, get it wrong more often than not, consequently, paying a price I never intended to pay.
The Ask I Bring
There are times when the struggles of life feel all consuming. So much to ask for and so little understanding for where to even begin. At times the circumstances of life feel overwhelming as I pause struggling to perform the basic function of life, breathe. Other times I feel great uncertainty of the path ahead. I have no idea where I should turn. The outcome of my decision is significantly impactful either positive or negative dependent on the way I choose to go. I don’t have the words. I don’t know what to ask for. And, I don’t have to.
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:26-28 NLT
When I yield my situation to the loving faithful God I serve, he intercedes for me and works all things together for my good. ALL things. Not some things.
The Strength I Draw From
In my weakest moments, as I submit myself, to the loving faithful good God I serve, he is made perfect. When I stop trying to meddle in my own doings, he navigates my days with great blessing. In ways I could never even imagine therefore could not ask for. His grace, the favor he pours upon me, although undeserving, is sufficient for EVERY need in my life.
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
When I am weak, I am strong. Because my strength comes from the Lord who gives me “overwhelming victory.” (Romans 8:37) I will take victory over defeat any day of the week.
The Example I Follow
My own will sells short the blessings and perfect plan of God. I have heard and continue to hear the chants of Christians that Jesus is our example. To which I say, YES! He is. So, let me tell of the example of Christ. In the most troubling moments of his time on this earth, he said, not my will but thy will be done.
““Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”
Luke 22:42-44 NLT
Not my will, thy will. And then an angel of the Lord appeared and strengthened him. You see, as Christ, when I say, not my will but thy will, God strengthens me to carry out his will. His will is perfect and good. My will is selfish and anguished as I prepare to face the battle ahead. But with the strength of Almighty God in alignment with his perfect will, I stand to my feet and face the battle with victory.
The Desire Of My Heart
Whatever I desire, I ask for, and my God says, I can have it. That is shall be mine. If only I will pray according to the perfect will of God. I think about my children. I am responsible to parent them in a way that develops them into loving fruitful productive people who seek after God first protecting, most importantly, their soul. I cannot give them ever whim and desire if it risks or jeopardizes their safety. If they refuse to sit buckled in a car seat, I cannot give into their desire, I must have them comply. For their safety. We all understand that. But, we struggle when God says no. As our loving Father, he says ask according to my will, as it aligns with the safety of your soul, and it shall be yours. So, I ask, Lord help me ask you, according to your will, not mine.
“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”
1 John 5:14-15 NLT
I submit. Submit to a loving, faithful, good, sovereign, merciful, gracious, and kind God. I trust him completely with my whole world. The things of this life most precious to me. My soul. My husband. My marriage. My children. My grandchildren. My sisters. My friends. My life. As we can see as walk through the scriptures we know that our will, wisdom, and desires are flawed and fall short. They will every single time. The ONLY way for me, as a godly woman, seeking after the best for my life, most importantly, my family, is to SUBMIT.
Therefore, I Submit
Tragically, submission, in this culture is a controversial subject and I believe it is an attack on my family, so while you may choose to pursue the world, I WILL, on behalf of my family, pursue MORE of Christ and LESS of me, with the most powerful way available to me, SUBMISSION.
Bobbie
