At face value, the word ‘submission’ usually sounds negative – especially in today’s time and culture. And to be sure, in the wrong hands, submission can be an ugly and damaging thing. But God’s ways are higher than ours, and His kingdom is upside down compared to ours. And in the same vein, this idea of submission is a pretty crucial in our walk with Jesus. In fact, I don’t think it’s possible to walk with Jesus unless we submit. Jesus Himself submitted to God perfectly in all things, so why should we not do the same.
Allowing God to deconstruct our notions of submission and redefine and explain what submission really is in His kingdom is quite the adventure. Often, what we think about godly things is way off. I love how the well-known quote by Simone Weil depicts this when she says: “Imaginary evil is romantic and varied; real evil is gloomy, monotonous, barren, boring. Imaginary good is boring; real good is always new, marvelous, intoxicating.” In the same way, our understanding of submission is confining and oppressive, but God’s version of real submission is freedom and peace.
Real submission is the opposite of rebellion against God. It’s the natural stance of our flesh to want our own way and to oppose, if not downright rebel, against God. Being submitted is to move in the opposite spirit of rebellion. Submission means to stop resisting and fighting God. It means being at peace with God and rooting ourselves in Him as the branches are connected to the vine in order to produce good fruit (John 15). To practice submission (and I intentionally use the word ‘practice’ because it does not come naturally to us most days) is to have a heart after God, just like David did. Although imperfectly, we seek after God’s heart when we submit. Therefore, real submission also allows God to work in and through us to prepare and sanctify us.
Practicing submission in our relationship with God might look different from one season to the next as God highlights new areas of our lives that are not as submitted as we might think. What area in your life today might need to be more fully submitted to God?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love and patience towards us that while we were still sinners in full rebellion against You, You still loved us. God, we intentionally submit all things to You today. What area can we be more fully submitted to You today? Have Your way in us. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
