Submission is freely choosing to let go of getting our own way -- with God and other people --in order to shape us toward Christlikeness and to serve each other well. Godly submission is a good path of self-denial, offered to us by a loving God, which leads to becoming more of who we are meant to be and increasingly free to love God, neighbor and self. It is not self-hatred, weak-willed, becoming brainwashed, trapped in an abusive relationship, or forced upon us. There are limits to submission to human authority. Richard Foster says we must, “…live in submission to human authority until it becomes destructive.” Submission is most beautifully modeled by Jesus in his refusal to exercise his rightful power and privilege, and instead, serving us through his life and death.
Matt 8 (What passage here?)
Ways to Practice:
Submission is closely tied to service. When you serve others, notice ways you are letting go of ‘getting your own way’. (Also notice where you are not!)
Allow people to teach, correct, guide, mentor you.
Don’t try to win the next argument you are in – instead, listen and pray.
If you tend to be the one in charge most of the time, resist this need and allow others to be in charge.
Identify an area where you know you’re out of line with what God wants for you. Pick & practice a spiritual discipline that addresses that area, and tell someone to whom you will be accountable.
Ask God for the grace to obey, whatever that may look like.
What results might we expect?
Not needing to get our own way as often
Deeply valuing other people and what they offer us and the world
A way to practice “putting other’s interests” before our own
Increased humility and obedience
More often living in alignment with God’s desire for our life
“The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow.” - Kay Arthur
For more exploration:
https://renovare.org/articles/spiritual-disciplines-index-submission
Celebration of Discipline, Chapter 8, Richard Foster