CHRIST'S HANDS ACROSS THE INTERNET Where christians come to share, pray and study. UNITY: SANE SUBMISSION By Michael Hawkinson "Submit!!" One would rather be told to shut up or sit down than to be told to submit. The word submit has been so stigmatized that it brings to mind pictures of slaves or S&M dungeons. Horrible and perverted uses of a word that wonderfully describes effective cooperation. In the human body many functions "submit" to one another creating a wonderful organism and if some part of the body does not submit (fulfill its function) then problems result. God commands that we submit in many ways. The Church (all believers) is compared to a body many times with Jesus as the head of the body. Nothing has hurt both believers and non believers more than the individualism of western society. The lack of understanding or being appropriately submitted to authority. Both church and society have turned to goals, not of unity, but of achieving individual goals and maintaining programs. This has truly corrupted The Church and resulted in all kinds of petty arguments, divisions and hate. Do not get me wrong, we are to separate ourselves (not have unity with) from the world's practices and beliefs and many churches (small "c" = denominations and sects) have failed to hold to the truth taught in the Word of God. Religion and Individuals love individualism. It shifts the responsibility from each other to a goal. I mean, as long as everyone is attaining "the goal" it is fine, but we ignore those that do not fit in or agree or approve of the goal we as individuals or a group (the leaders or majority) have established. In other words, we can accomplish the goal and ignore individuals. But I tell you that if you have ignored the individual, failed to submit to each other... Then you have not accomplished the goal and have utterly failed. What is submission according to Webster? It is to yield to governance or authority or to yield oneself to the authority of will of another. It is to defer or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another. According to many women's groups, parenting groups, the ACLU, children, our spouses, etc., submission is an outdated idea and even harmful and demeaning. If you choose to believe that, you have set yourself against God and the design He has for us. Parents used to tell children, "There are some things you have to do even if you do not like them." That idea has been eaten away. In fact, in some places making your child take out the trash is considered abuse! Good thing they did not live on a farm about 50 years ago. Many misled people think of submission as being enslaved. (Personally I would rather be a slave to God than an individual like Hitler.) These people and propagandists teach (I think deceptively, knowing full well it is not true) that any submission taught is a tool used by a person, gender, race or group to enslave or force their will on another person. Race or group. Since a believer cannot change the world or get the world to submit to God, we should not be interested in what the world thinks or teaches when it comes to how one should live their life. If we are going to discuss community, common unity and submission we must go to the ultimate example. Jesus. Jesus submitted to authority. He submitted to Pontius Pilot. He submitted to the plan of God although there were many horrible consequences, however the result was the greatest good. Submission to authority in this world is often like that. Sometimes we see the fruit of our submission in this life, but if not then I can promise on the Word of God that you will receive the reward of your obedience in heaven. 1 Peter 2:21-25 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself (i.e.: submitted) to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Submission is not a horrible, evil thing. It is "entrusting." A citizen entrusts himself to his government. A Wife entrusts herself to her husband. A child entrusts himself to his parents. Yes, and a believer entrusts himself to pastor, elder and all other believers. Jesus is our example and He submitted to government authority and to God's authority. You will notice that when there was a need, such as hunger, he and his disciples ate from the fields, even though they did so on the Sabbath and were criticized for breaking the law of God. He healed on the Sabbath and replied, "Is it right to do good on the Sabbath?" to his critics who reproached Him. I bring that up to make sure you do not make the mistake of thinking that submission is mindless obedience to whatever request is made. But do not think that the usual petty excuses used to avoid submission will be acceptable when you stand before God. Do you think that Jesus used his being innocent to avoid submitting? No. Did He use the fact He was right to avoid submission? No. Did he use the power His authority gave Him to avoid submission? No. What makes you think that you are right in not submitting to those who have authority over you? If you want to play religion and pretend to be a believer, go ahead. You may even be a believer, one whom God gave the right to become a child of God. I would not want to stand before God with your arrogant or whiny excuses as to why you did not submit to The Church (ALL believers) or Authorities (Governmental, community or occupational) and stood in Jesus' place as the Head of The Church. Passing judgments, choosing what you will do by your own will and not the will or authority of others or of God. I would like to share a prayer with you. It is part of a prayer that Jesus prayed. It is an amazing prayer. It has to do with unity and thus with submission. John 17: 20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." The world hates submitting to anyone but itself. Whether government or law; family or friends; neighbors or strangers; and especially God, the human nature desires to serve itself and itself alone. In a society or church where proper submission is lacking, charity and good works are only to placate the conscience and either to give a false sense of community or for the sake of appearance to accomplish any number of ulterior motives. There are many scriptural admonishments. I will try to include some of them in this article although they will lengthen what you need to read. Please do not skim over the scriptures, take time to read them. God can give you better insights than I can. Trust me on that one! If I might point out something here. This is a good illustration of submission. You are reading the opinion of another person. Giving up time to do so is submission. It is my hope and certainly God's desire that what you do here edifies you, the reader. Mindless submission is dangerous. That kind of submission is common to religion, cults, regimes or dictatorships and springs from the idea that submission is about position. If your rank is lower, you will obey your superior. General, Captain, Lieutenant, boss, bishop, pastor, elder, deacon, layman, church mouse. (By the way, not all church mouses are rodents, but I have seen God take a "church mouse" and make a man or woman of God out of them!) The point of my digression... Umm yes, I do have a point ... Is to challenge you to think. To meditate. To let God teach you way more than the words on this page. God has something to say to you. Listen to him! That said, lets dive in! Romans 13:1-8 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Want to get a healthy (or unhealthy) debate going? Just bring up submission. The religious people will immediately insist that one (which will most likely include you) must submit to certain authorities, laymen to pastors, wives to husbands and children to parents. If they bring up submission to the governmental authorities they will have a huge list of exceptions. The religious person counts on submission to assure themselves that they are in God's will. They rarely think to actually ask God what His will is and certainly do not submit to anyone who does. God demands that you must submit first of all to Him. We must submit to God every day and crucify our flesh daily as well. It is not an option. As believers the command to submit is the key issue of our every day life. Romans 8:6-8 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. Colossians 3:4-6 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. If we ignore God and allow ourselves to submit to the flesh or the world we will die. Our lives will accomplish nothing. We may have a long list of temporal accomplishments, but pride in those accomplishments will turn to despair at the judgment seat of God. "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses his soul?" Jesus Nothing is so contrary to the way of the world or the flesh as submission. Oh, don't get me wrong. All people including believers love to submit to themselves and the desires of their flesh. Many will go to great lengths to submit to those desires. Kind of a Homer Simpson "mmmmmmmm chocolate" mentality. One may insert anything they consider a vice. "Mmmmmmm TV!" "Mmmmmmmm Shopping!" "Mmmmmmmm football!" Mmmmmm Mouse pie!" Heh heh, OK, so the mouse pie is a private joke. However, many of us spend money, time and even commit crimes to submit to the desires of our hearts. People lie, get divorces, have abortions, abandon children, harm their body, get in debt and the list goes on and on. Beware if you submit to the world. Colossians 2:20,21 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. In meditating on the Romans verses one becomes acutely aware of the flesh. The world wants submission to itself and has taken a very wily approach. In some situations, even today, the enemy uses evil authority to try and force submission to the world. Believers are forbidden worship, fellowship, prayer, discipling or witnessing. They are forced to have abortions, persecuted at work and home, beaten and even put to death. What happens in those situations? Amazingly, believers and religious people thrive in the midst of persecution! They are forced to make a decision. Serve their God or die. The religious serve religion as their God just as the rebel worships his ideologies and politics as his or her God. The believer serves God alone and finds that in suffering it is easier to ignore the flesh and submit to God whom he must turn to for strength daily. In these situations the command to obey God is clear and people are challenged to make a decision every day. Their choices determine what will happen to them in a real and immediate way. James 4:6-8 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. God gives grace to those who submit themselves to God to persevere. One cannot submit to someone one does not know. One must have a relationship with God and this relationship is only possible by God's own design. That is, through Jesus the Messiah. We must receive Him. Without revelation there is no salvation. If you do not know Him, you cannot truly believe in Him. You only know of Him or about Him. If you do not know him, you will not love Him. If you do not know or love Him you cannot submit to Him. John 1:11-13 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Believers must submit to God. Disobedience is sin. To love anything or anyone more than God is to sin. To sin is to be apart from God -- to be in opposition to God. While some foolishly shake their fists at the heavens (Romans 8:7,8) and make all kinds of silly challenges, the believer knows that the only way to submit to God is to know Him. Why then does it seem that so many believers are not submitting to God? Or, Why do we not feel submitted to God?" The answer is very profound... "Because we are not submitted to God." (For the scholars, in Greek that means: "We are not submitted to God!") "Wait!" You exclaim, "How do you know?" Well, to be honest, it's the fruit. No, not the banana! The fruit of the Spirit. Specifically, the lack of common unity. (See Humor: "You might Be Religious if...") This is very apparent in the western Church, particularly in the USA. I fight the same fight as you and I too fail to submit at times. Many illustrations used in this article reflect western or American experience. Do not think that lets those of you from other countries off the hook! The Word of God speaks to us all and submission as God desires it is a challenge to every person without exception. Again, I repeat, We all fight the desire to be a slave to the flesh to serve ourselves and not others. One of the toughest submissions is the command to submit to one another. No one enforces that command. (Although God will mete out the consequences for disobedience) and society has given submission to another the connotation of being weak. Here I will talk about sane submission with emphasis on submission to each other! Ephesians 5:15-21 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 1 Peter 2:12-14 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 1 Peter 2:17-19 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. Romans 15: 1,2 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Hebrews 13:16,17 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 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. To begin, let me say that you cannot submit without love and you cannot love without God as God is love. In fact, if you do not love your brother, you are not of God and do not know Him. (1 John 4:7,8) Now we must leave, or rather add, to what Merriam-Webster said about submit and submission. Satan has successfully used a more deadly and effective method to get people to forsake and ignore God's command to submit to others. Prosperity and individualism. While God values us far more than we really understand, many people value themselves higher than God. Husbands, Wives, brothers, sisters, children (I think I got everyone) .. No pointing fingers! We all do it sometimes, but western society has made serving self an art. A dark art to be sure, but one that pervades every media and every neighborhood. Religion has attempted to crush individualism by legalism or to control its adherents by teaching that God's desire for us is to be rich, healthy and without trial in this life. Both are contrary to scripture and lead to death. There is much trial and suffering in this life for those who truly love Jesus and obey Him. Take some time to read the following words of Jesus and those who knew Him. Matthew 10: 16-23 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matthew 24: 4-15 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. "So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. John 15: 17-23 This is my command: Love each other. "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 4:12-19 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Romans 8:17,18 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Words like tolerance, love, patience, judgment and others involving relationships between people have been twisted and turned to serve self. We change our fellowship like we do clothes. We change our jobs the same way. We give not out of our abundance, but out of what's left. In many cases that means God is lucky to get that one , five or ten dollar bill in the collection plate. There is no community. There is a bunch of people seeking after their security. Not the security of or in God but financial, social, personal security. The church of today seeks comfort while The Church seeks God. When the church seeks community it is a goal not a relationship. They seek programs and buildings. This to them is community. Let me assure you, community exists outside of walls, programs and neighborhood. What does submission have to do with all of this? What does submission have to do with suffering? How about listening when someone asks you to? Helping someone with housework, yard work or house repairs? How about feeding the hungry? Giving drink to the thirsty? Clothing the naked , I am not talking about the way kids dress today, I am talking about those who wear rags who do not want to wear rags? Visiting those in prison, praying for the sick, etc. What about submitting to your parents? Submitting to your husband? Submitting to your boss? Don't give me that look. Talk to God. He said it. I can tell you that when I have been obedient to His Word and submitted as He taught, I have found community which I wish I could hold onto forever. But let me warn you, community is work. Common unity is a commitment. Not a commitment "Til something better comes along," but a covenant, a promise and an unswerving faithfulness to God. Last but not least, community is not optional. The Church dies without it. Without submission The Church dies. You think you can be an island? A Lone ranger believer? Consider these verses. Romans 12:4-6 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 1 Corinithians 12:12-27 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Submission is required because of unity. Your life and the life of others depends on you. Not just in an ethereal way either. In a society where we are always thinking about ourselves we certainly can come up with any number of problems that we consider a priority. It is human nature and the world's way to pursue meeting ones own wants or desires. (Which most of us erroneously call needs.) Yes, I understand we need food, clothing and shelter -- God understands this also. When any need or want is in the process of being met (that is to say when our knees are leaving skid marks 15 feet from the bed as we slide into our profound prayer, "HELP!") That is the time when the body kicks in and submission is so important. We need each other. Yes, sometimes God uses us to meet needs, in fact many times He does. However, there are many trials and we all fight the enemy and our flesh. Submission is not being a slave, it is doing the job to which we are called by God. We cannot be the heart when we want to! The heart must beat all the time. The liver cannot take a break from filtering out poisons of the world. The eyes have to watch for deception and keep us on the path. Whatever part of the body you are, you are needed!! Not just in your defined group but for all believers. Prophets must prophesy; Teachers teach; ministers minister; pastors pastor; servants serve; exhorters exhort; apostles apostulate! (We'll figure out that last one some other time. Heh heh) We have needs that often go unmet. Why? Because we are not submitting and that has resulted in fractured unity. I said "submission is required because of unity" but really unity is a result of right submission. If you have read this far, I congratulate you! To be honest, my mind is full of tangents. Submission effects almost every area of our life. Submission is contrary to human nature. It is contrary to the world's message. Failure to submit was the reason that Satan was cast from heaven. He wanted to be God. Just like him, those who aspire to be God will not only fail, but they will share the devil's fate. To reflect on what is being said, our submission is basically a willful attention and awareness of what is going on around us and a willing response to use our God given talents, abilities, gifts and time to support The Church. If we fail to pay attention; to use our gifts or to respond to others, The Body will grow weak and ill. OK, I will get to "sane submitting?" What is it? In a nutshell (thought I would use an phrase that would appeal to all you squirrels out there.) it is responding to the needs or obeying the requests made of us by others as long as we do not have to deny God or worship/serve something other than Him. It is obeying and honoring the requests of all others, not just a pastor, husband, parent, teacher, government. We are to consider the needs of others greater than our own. Philippians 2:1-5 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus I fully concede that we make the final and sometimes difficult decision of whether we ourselves will obey or submit and whether this submission will place us in disobedience to God's will and commands. Let me clarify that statement by assuring you that although we make the final decision to submit, there is never a time or issue that we should not consult God about. No decision should be 'my' decision alone, but rather our decision. God and me. If He does not answer and your conscience is not a problem then submit. It is a wonderful testimony to be a servant like Jesus. By the way, if you feel that doing something is a sin, then just let people know you are uncomfortable and would not be able to submit. However, if you fail to submit, realize you should suffer the consequences joyfully! To suffer for doing right is commendable but loses its value if you drive people nuts with weeping and whining. Warning! Many times we decide to disobey or dishonor rather than submitting because of inconvenience, laziness, fear or selfishness. Any time we make a decision based on anything other than doing what is right, honorable and in God's will, we not only fail but we harm The Church. Common unity/unity is not practiced in its full sense in most places today. The largest community many are responsible for is a nuclear family or perhaps extended family and friends at the most. The idea that all believers, neighbors or strangers are part of a common unity or our community is foreign to us. Many people begrudge giving to anyone, even their spouse or own children, except themselves! Sacrifice is an unknown word. The biggest sacrifices we make are letting someone take control of the remote control or missing a TV show. I am exaggerating of course, people do make larger sacrifices. They give up church to help teach their friend how to improve their golf game. Yeah, well whatever. Joking! Just seeing if you were paying attention. However, sacrifice is truly wonderful in its right place. The tragedy of September 11th and many other disasters demonstrate clearly this truth. Submitting ourselves to meet the needs of others, even at great cost to ourselves. It is what Jesus did. It is what we are called to... every day of our lives. Thank you for giving some time to reading this article. There is much more unsaid than said on this subject. I am not trying to dodge any tough subjects. I think if someone thinks about what is said, they will find themselves convicted of failing to submit as God desires. I know I have been deeply committed over the last few months of talking to God about this. I have had to change some things about how I live. I had to move out of my comfort zone. I cannot say I have not been blessed but I assure you I cannot say that I have not suffered either. Although I have not been physically attacked I have had to do things I did not want to do (insert whining here) and been told I am silly and weak - which is hardly worthy of note as none of my blood was shed.. (Even though you would have thought my ego was being tortured by it's screaming.) I am thankful for my humor and being able to choose joy in my situation. (Even if others moan at my humor) I truly hope to rejoice in all situations. I may have to spend some time giving examples of sane submitting and questionable submitting in the future. However, at this time I feel that God says you need to come to Him and meditate a while on what has been said here. I will be honest, I am learning to submit and think it a life time lesson.. I look forward your comments and ideas on what you have learned or what you would add to what has been said. You can always email me at onevoice@chain.org with any information, comments or encouragement. God bless you. ALL MATERIAL IS PROPERTY OF CHAIN UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED AND NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION Back to the Top