A 40 Day Journey to Becoming Like the One We Follow
Day 34: Submissive (Matthew 26:39)
Let's face it. No one likes to submit. We don't like being told what to do or having others control our plans.
Being strong willed and independent can, like most traits, be a virtue or it can become a vice. In our society, you've got to look out for yourself. You have to advocate for yourself and those closest to you. But rugged individualism is antithetical to living in a well ordered society.
It's even worse when it comes to religion. The prosperity preachers will tell you all you have to do is "name it and claim it." If you pray hard enough, believe strongly enough, and send your tithe money to the right address, then God will bless you with a good life full of material wealth.
We like to call the shots. We like to be in control of our own destiny. We think we can "manifest" goodness in the world by our own volition. How's that workin' out for ya?
But what about Jesus?
If anyone in the history of the world could have taken matters into his own hands and reshaped society to benefit himself, it would have been Jesus. But throughout his ministry he makes it clear - he is only ever doing what the Father told him to do and saying what the Father told him to say. Apart from the Father he could do nothing. And apart from Christ we can do nothing.
His life and ministry was a living testimony for the power of submission. True freedom is found in surrendering to God's will. True power is in realizing our own powerlessness. God is all sufficient when we aren't good enough. God is all powerful when we are incompetent. God is the giver of all good things even when we have nothing to offer. God is our strength when we are weak.
The world fundamentally changed the day Jesus went to the cross. He didn't have to, but he willingly surrendered his own life into the will of the Father.
Do you trust God enough to submit to his will for your life?