I was so excited about submission when I wrote that last post. I was so ready to make this a 3-4 part series! But then life happened and I think I realized that I'm not so great at this submission thing...and I kind of gave up for a while! There are so many other women I could direct you to to learn about this topic instead of me. I
So I thought...I'll just skip it and go onto something else.....Well, God had other plans. :-)
I went to my quiet time this afternoon and the verse
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him." Col.3:17
This concept is one that hits close to home. Lately, I have been having a lot of doubts about who I am and what God has called me to. I have struggled with bitterness over working a secular job that requires very little interaction with other people while my husband is out serving every day in ministry. I have struggled with resentment over the fact that my life revolves around our home and I am limited by the fact that we share a car. I have struggled with feelings of worthlessness that God can't really use me because I'm not gifted enough.
All of these feelings are just that, feelings. Ugly feelings. Feelings that can make you feel small and stop you from living the life God wants you to live. Moreover, they are lies from the devil that I have allowed to consume me. When I heard the words of Colossians 3 in my head, I knew it was a heavenly reminder that it doesn't matter what I do, I can do it for the Lord. I can do it with thanksgiving. I can do it with honor and joy because the truth is, I know God has me right where He wants me. (Even if I don't always understand why)
So....you may be wondering how this all relates to submission. Like I said, I was headed to my quiet time when I remembered this verse. So I thought, this must be where I turn today. I flipped over to Colossians (I'm not going to pretend like I remembered exactly where this verse was, I'm terrible at that...enter trusty keyword search on my bible iphone app) and I start reading.
I began with the beginning of chapter 3. So powerful! I encourage you to read this chapter today. God wants us to put to death ungodliness and clothe ourselves with compassion and patience and all sorts of good things. He wants us to LET the peace of Christ dwell in our hearts. Oh I could write about ten blog posts on this chapter alone!
Then he says, whatever you do do it in the name of Jesus. (My key verse today)
Well....if you are familiar at all with Colossians, you know what comes next. Right after God lines out for us how we are supposed to live and that we are to everything for His glory, he says " Wives submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
Bingo! How do you live a life honoring Christ? Do everything in his name...including submitting to your husband. He has some words for husbands after that and Fathers and children and so on, but wow! This submission thing is important!
I found in Titus 2:4-5 "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so as not to malign the word of God"
This thing is serious! You may be thinking, "Whatever, I don't agree with all that submission stuff. I mean this is 2011, my marraige is fine."
Is it? I don't have this whole thing figured out, and I'm not going to pretend to be a Susie- Homemaker -content- to- serve- my- husband- and- wear- an- apron- everyday- with- perfect- hair- and- make-up kind of girl. But I see it very clear in scripture that it is important to be submissive. I want to do everything for the Glory of God. I do not want to malign the word of God. I must learn to submit!
Maybe your marriage could be richer if you looked into this topic a little more. Pray about it and see what God shows you about submission. My goal for my next post is to talk a little more specifically about what it really means to be submissive....
Have a fantastic day! Whatever you do, do it for the Lord!
~Leslie
