Submission

Interesting how in American culture submission is seen as weak.  Even many in the church see submission as a sign of weakness: an act of someone in a lesser role or who has lesser value.  This is mainly seen in a negative reaction to the verses indicating wives submit to their husbands (most directly stated in Ephesians 5:22) for women are not lesser than men.  No, they are not.  But women do have a different role in bringing the kingdom of God.

If submission was a weakness, I believe Jesus would have to be the weakest person who ever walked the planet.  Just take a look at these verses:

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”                                                                                     -Hebrews 5:7

“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the Father has taught me.  The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.’”

                                                                                                            -John 8:28-29

Jesus reverently submitted to the Father so much so that he did nothing on his own!  And I do not believe that Jesus was weak, but the strongest, wisest, most powerful man who ever walked the earth.  And we have his Spirit now living in us!  It is a spirit of power, love and submission for “apart from [Jesus] you can do nothing” (John 15:5b).

So as a woman of God in America, I can boldly state that I submit to my husband and want to submit more and more…especially as I see him submitting more and more to God.  Does that mean I am weak and can do nothing?  Absolutely not!  Jesus, while submitting, healed the sick, cast out demons, taught, prophesied, lavished love, grew in wisdom and favor and on and on!  I am not limited in what I do by submitting.  Rather, I am released to be the woman God created me to be!  And part of that is to reflect the church in my relationship with my husband.  What a glorious gift and honor; I am the Beloved Bride of my godly man and of my God King!  What really could be better?  So, do I lose my independence that is so treasured among women (and men)?  Absolutely!  I lost that the day Jesus made me his bride and in being so completely dependent, I have become more free than I ever was alone.  Free to live in peace, free to love, free to give, free to be all he created me to be: “So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).  The reality of the Kingdom sounds so backwards from the cultural mindset of the world, but Beloved, once you step out of the bondage of the world, you also indeed will be freed to be a Bride of the King!  And a Bride of the King fully, freely and lovingly submits to her Groom…for the Groom has the best in mind for his love.  And what a mind this Groom has!