He spoke to me regarding submission. We’ve all heard about it. It’s an ugly word because it has been misused so often. I had to go back and actually look up the word. What is submission?

Submission is “the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person”(New Oxford American Dictionary). Whether in marriage relationships or in the church, most have experienced or seen the misuse of this concept by those in authority. As a result, we resist submitting to anyone — even God. Yet, this is something about which God is very serious.

1 Peter 2:13-14
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.

Romans 13:1-2
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.

I can feel those of you reading this cringing as you read the above verses. Our problem today is that these verses are used to demand submission. However, submission is something that can’t be demanded but can only be given. As an authority, I can’t demand submission, but those under me can freely give it. I can encourage them to submit because God commands us to, but I can’t command it or demand it. Having said all of that, allow me to share what God reiterated to me.

First of all, I was reminded that submission is complete obedience. When we submit ourselves to God or to authorities placed over us, we can say that we submit but the true test of submission is our obedience. And further, how do we obey? Do we obey outwardly only? Or do we fully obey with all of our heart? Most of us know that we can appear to be obedient and do what is required outwardly, yet within us there is a rebelliousness although it may never be spoken. True submission requires our obedience outwardly and inwardly. If we aren’t submitting to what God is doing in our lives and what He is speaking by our complete, inward, heartfelt obedience, then we might as well just outwardly rebel.

Secondly, those truly submitted do so even when they disagree. I can remember sometime ago thinking that I was really submitted to my leader. However, God exposed to me my heart by asking me this simple question, “You think you’re submitted because you typically agree with him.” From there, He reminded me that true submission occurs when I disagree with the person. What I realized from that encounter is that I can’t measure my level of submission to an authority (including God) by when I agree. I can only truly measure my level of submission by how I respond when I disagree. Submission is truly tested in the times of disagreement. How do I respond when God speaks to me something with which I disagree? How do I respond when a leader who is in authority over me corrects me, and I actually think they are wrong? Do I submit to the correction or do I criticize God or the person and become bitter? True submission is tested on the grounds of disagreement.

Finally, if I am truly submitted, I will do so even when it causes me pain. No one loves pain. Actually, no one even likes it. The reason we were created to feel pain was to keep us from making the same mistakes again. The reason it hurts when you touch something very hot is so that you are reminded not to do it again. The reason I spank my children is to remind them that the consequences of their sin is that it will hurt! I have heard my “runner friends“ talk about how you learn to love the pain. I guess I can see their point in a larger scheme because although it hurts, the gain is well worth the pain. It’s the same thing when we’re truly submitted to God and His delegated authority. There are times when we are presented with correction. I like to call it “getting my chain jerked.” I never like it. Yet, I am learning that if I respond correctly and embrace the pain, I will in the long run be much better off. Runners do the same thing; they may not like the pain but if they embrace the pain, the gain is well worth it. We must learn that those in authority over us (both God and man) who truly love us and are committed to our success will correct us. It may cause us pain yet it is for our good.

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired.  During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.  Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups – porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: “Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.  While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you’re drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate.  In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.

Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups.  They are just tools to hold and contain life.  The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life  you have.  Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.  God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don’t have the best of everything.  They just make the best of everything that they have.  Live simply.  Love generously.  Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate.

It began Sunday morning when Pastor Kevin was sharing for communion about being thankful in all things. (Even being thankful when the opposing team beats you in paintball!) Sometimes you wonder if kids are even listening or understanding adult messages. However, it was obvious sitting at the kitchen table Monday evening that Selah “got it.” She started to pray and actually mentioned Pastor Kevin in her prayer and his message on being thankful. She then began to go through a whole long list of things for which she was thankful. I can’t even begin to remember or list them all. She just started and hit about everything. I sat there amazed first of all that she heard the message and really understood it. Then I was amazed at all the things for which she gave thanks. I thought as she prayed, “yes, God, we’re thankful for that.” I so appreciate kids at this age and what God teaches me through them.