Submit

You probably know that the word Islam means submission. There have been times when I wondered how Islamists interpret that idea: submission to what, and whom? I looked up the word “submission” on Google and one hit came up with a picture of a woman’s bare back with some form of Arabic writing across her skin, from her shoulders all the way to her waist. There were also trickles of blood striped across the writings where she had been flogged. The idea of the picture was clear: some submit more than others.

The same might be said of Christianity, I suppose, which means “Christ-like.” Many muslims must wonder what Christ is truly like, having been injured by perversions of Christianity for hundreds of years.

I bring these two images up because the concept of submission is so foreign to us and so difficult to embrace as a Christian virtue. Yet, just as love, honesty, fidelity, and loyalty to Christ are our pursuit, so is submission. Submission can be forced, as the picture I mentioned illustrates, but for us it is voluntary: We choose to be subordinate as Christ also chose.

Jesus submitted to the will of the father over his own, when he chose to lay down his life, of his own accord, for the father and for us. Further, Jesus chose to submit to the priests and teachers of the law when he endured a mockery of a trial, the overwhelming pain of his beating and the humiliation of being stripped publically and displayed to all.

Why would anyone put themselves through such traumatic agony if they had a choice? Jesus believed he was submitting to God first.

When submission is only about authority and loss of stature, it is hardly virtuous. But when as Christians, we can overlay our submission to God to our submission in this world we can find greater meaning and virtue.

Ponder the meaning of this verse from Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” What does that mean when you think you are right? When you think someone else is too bossy? How does God redeem our submission to make it virtuous?

Submission

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun describes submission as aligning my will and freedom with God’s will and freedom, believing that God’s will includes freely submitting to each other out of love and reverence for Christ. (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, p. 118).

The idea of Submission brings different concepts and emotions to mind depending on our experiences. I want to think of submission as a virtue, but I know that it is not always thought of that way. What do you think and feel about submission?

I am posting some passages that relate to submission and I would like you to respond to them. You might also post any references you think may be helpful in studying the spiritual practice of submission.



Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right... Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord…Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ… And masters, treat your slaves in the same way… (excerpted from Ephesians 5:21-6:9 NIV).



An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:25-30)



Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)



Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:5-9)


May God bless our study of submission.

Devotional Thoughts on Gratitude

1 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 7 asks a question I have found myself pondering: “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”

You could look around right now and reflect on what you are receiving at this moment. Of course there is the air we take for granted, but just feel it now as it fills your lungs and your nostrils. It flows and does its work without any thought or extra care from you. And the protection from the elements provided by this building or your home or car. The other morning I rushed through the dry, cold, still air to my car and quickly closed the door as I scooted in. I shivered, impatient for the anticipated warmth from the heater vent. In that short time, think of all that I received from God – a car; the cold of winter; the dryness rather than the penetrating cold of moisture; the knowledge and possession of the coming warmth; a place to go that required my journey; a place to start that journey and the safety of both; the roads on which my car would travel; the agreement with our neighbors to abide by standard rules that allows a safe interaction while driving; the ability to move myself, with hardly a thought, to the car and to quicken the pace without any concern. We could go much further in the pursuit of all that we receive. But one more thing needs to be said before we move toward gratitude.

Some of those things you have received cannot be purchased at any price. There are those who would pay anything to own what some of us receive freely, without thought. From another perspective: others work just as hard or harder with both their minds and their bodies, but will never have the opportunity to receive what you have. Perhaps their mind is not as agile as yours or their body not as able; perhaps they didn’t receive the same opportunities.

Which of these can you thank God for, right now? Can you reflect a little further to realize other blessings you may regularly take for granted, but which make a profound effect on who you are and what you are able to do?

When you begin to notice these works of God in you and for you, you may also find a tendency to balance them with thoughts of what you do not have or what you have lost. Why do we sometimes do this? Does this affect our attitude of thankfulness? Is it possible that in losing something we now miss we may have gained something else? Perhaps even something that we are presently unaware of?