Listen to what the impulsive Peter wrote about submission: “…clothe yourself with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 NASB
The practice of this ancient pathway can tear down the barrier we build from thinking we are the center of the universe. It teaches us humility. We discover what compassion really means. For as we learn to let go of our rights, “we lay down the terrible burden of needing to get our own way.” — Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Page 111
I submit to my wife when I allow her to influence me. Several years ago, my wife Lea Ann and I introduced Re|engage Marriage to our church with powerful healing results. Following the weekly meeting, I would send a quickly crafted email of encouragement and send it to the leaders and participants. Usually, the email included typos and incomplete sentences. What mattered most was that I pound out the email quickly or else it would get lost in a sea of other pressing details.
One day Lea Ann asked if we could edit it together before I sent it out. Something knotted up inside me. In my head, I did the math. I thought, “If I write and send it myself it will take me 10 minutes. If I say “OK,” it will take me at least 30 minutes!”
Well, I said “OK.” And yes, it took longer…, but it truly was a better email. This situation helped me become willing to be open to help from Lea Ann and others. As I learned to let go of control, our marriage became stronger.
When, in our hearts, we are open to the influence of others, we learn the freedom to surrender the right to retaliate as we practice turning the other cheek.
We learn submission as we follow Jesus’ Way…if you want to follow Me, learn to deny yourself of what you want.
Yes, submission is hard because it confronts my stubborn need to be in control. And yet it is such a liberating discipline to practice.
“Although this discipline has been the source of some of the greatest abuses through inadequate understanding and teaching on it, it is essential to our call to follow, and become like, Jesus.” — Bud Lamb, Chasing the Sage, page 149
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Pray
Another zinger God. On the surface, I’m not interested in learning this ancient pathway. But, again, I’m willing to try. Help me become aware this week when something knots up inside when I face an opportunity to accept someone to influence how I want to handle things. First “aware of” and then “embrace” the help of others. Amen
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