Submission

Merriam-Webster uses its lexicographers to track word usage. Books, newspapers, websites, magazines, and other publications are examined to determine how frequently certain words are used.

Once again, landing in the top ten words: I.

And why not? After all, we know more about ourselves than any other subject. Most of us love to speak of me, myself, and I.

Scripture uses the term submission: a word that seems to be fading from our lexicon and a concept that does not mesh well with the “Me” culture we live in today.

We are encouraged to submit to God, to governmental authority, and to spiritual leadership. Most of us practice these principles to some degree. Yet there is one area of submission we have a tendency to ignore or overlook: submission to one another.

Submitting to other believers confronts our “I” identity. It is easier when we believe someone has something to offer us: wisdom, guidance, encouragement, or experience. Submission becomes challenging when we perceive a brother or sister as “less than,” believing they have little or nothing to teach us.

But it is hubris to think others have nothing to offer.

Jesus told us to become like children. Scripture encourages us to consider the ant and learn from it. God can use anyone and anything to teach us if we are willing to listen.

Submission is more than placing ourselves under someone or something outside of our own intellect and self-image. Submission is recognizing that there is a lesson to be learned from every person and every circumstance.

Balaam learned from a donkey. Namaan learned from a young servant girl. King David learned from the prophet Nathan. Moses learned from his father-in-law Jethro.

Each of them had to be willing to receive instruction from someone or something they might not have expected to teach them.

So, the next time you find yourself in a conversation with someone you consider less knowledgeable than yourself, submit your spirit and allow God to speak.

You may discover that the lesson you need is coming from the person you least expected to teach you.

With Gratitude, Pastor Jesse