Sweet Submission
Before we begin, let me clarify that this is not a recipe for Christmas Cookies.
Sorry about that.
I'd like us to take a moment and look back on our journey thus far.
Think of all the winding roads, the mucky pits, the dark corners, the hills, and the valleys we have traversed.
Whew. We've made it through a lot and have come so far.
Looking back at some of the toughest situations we have endured, I'm curious about something.
Did we make it through with only our power and will?
Was it the clenching of control that solved all the problems?
Was it our willingness to step up as Jesus Junior so we could save the day for everyone and everything?
Was the solution found in kneeling at the feet of the enemy, worshipping worry, fear, regret, and every worst-case scenario we could conjure up?
Or was it because, in our weakness and desperation, we had no choice but to surrender and cry out as we reached for God to help us?
I certainly see a pattern in my journey.
When faced with challenges, my instinct is to take it all upon myself and fix everything with my power and will, desperately trying to control and manage all the things.
Exhausting and rarely (if ever) successful.
It hit me hard just now when God showed us that worry, control, fear, etc. is found at the feet of the enemy.
Yikes.
But it makes sense, doesn't it?
We kneel and worship the fear as the devil cowers around us, knowing our most sensitive spots as he attacks us where we are most weak.
When you admit to the thoughts in your head when you are under attack - you can't deny that they come from the pit of hell.
I spent too much of my life in that position, fearing the worst and believing the lies.
I still plop down there sometimes.
But then I remember God's miraculous wonders when I reached out, stepped aside, and submitted to His love and strength.
Submitting to God's love and power is the sweetest choice we can ever make for ourselves.
Submitting -
to yield
to permit yourself to be subjected to something other than yourself
to surrender
I love that yielding part.
God doesn't want us to lie down and do nothing.
But I think He wants us to pause, yield, and look both ways as we listen and wait.
This is so hard to do, especially when you are clamoring around in panic, worry, and fear.
As I reflect back, it is in those moments of yielding surrender - when I brought everything to the foot of Christ and permitted God to take care of me and the situation at hand - that knots began to loosen.
Help arrived.
Solutions appeared.
Storms passed.
Not always quickly. Not always easily. Not always the way I wanted.
But when I let God in and trusted Him, God made it better, and His love and care eased my mind, filled my heart, and made a way when I couldn't.
Oh, my beloved traveler, I know this life has not always been easy.
But oh, how God loves you. He longs to care for you, help you, and raise your weary head.
You are God's beloved child, and submitting to His authority and receiving His love and strength can change everything.
When your mind swirls, and you find yourself kneeling in the wrong spot, get up and plop yourself at Christ's feet.
Let Him sing over you and pull you up on His lap as He comforts you
Let Him love you
Let him lead you and show you the way
We run to you, God, and we kneel at your feet in sweet, sweet submission.
James 4:7
So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
John 10:10
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.