The Power of Submission: Embracing God's Mission

The Power of Submission: Embracing God's Mission

In a world that often views submission as weakness, there's a profound truth we need to rediscover: submission to God is the key to unlocking our true purpose and power. Far from being a dirty word, submission in the context of our faith is about aligning ourselves with something far greater than our own limited perspectives and desires.

Let's start with the ultimate example of submission - Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus approaching John the Baptist to be baptized. John, recognizing Jesus' superiority, initially resists. But Jesus insists, saying, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." This act of humility and obedience sets the stage for what follows.

Immediately after His baptism, the heavens open, the Spirit of God descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." It's a powerful affirmation of Jesus' identity and mission, triggered by His act of submission.

But the story doesn't end there. Jesus is then led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting and temptation. Imagine the physical and mental toll of such an ordeal. Yet, when faced with the devil's temptations, Jesus doesn't rely on His own strength or opinion. Instead, He consistently responds with, "It is written," citing Scripture to counter each temptation.

This narrative teaches us a crucial lesson: our first response to God's calling shouldn't be to charge ahead in our own strength. Instead, we should submit ourselves to God through prayer, fasting, and immersion in His Word. It's in this place of submission that we find the strength to resist temptation and fulfill our calling.

The word "submission" itself gives us insight into its true meaning. "Sub" means under, and "mission" refers to purpose or calling. So, submission is about placing ourselves under God's mission. It's not about losing our identity, but about finding our true purpose within God's greater plan.

This concept of submission to God's mission isn't just for a select few. It's a calling for every believer. Too often, we've relegated the Great Commission - Jesus' command to "go and make disciples of all nations" - to pastors or missionaries. But the truth is, this is a mandate for all of us.

Wherever we go - our workplaces, our neighborhoods, our social circles - we are called to be ambassadors for Christ. We're entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, sharing the transformative message that through Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself.

This calling requires a shift in our perspective. We're not just saved from something (hell), we're saved for something (relationship with God and participation in His mission). Our salvation isn't just about personal benefit; it's about becoming part of God's redemptive work in the world.

Living out this calling doesn't always mean seeing immediate results. In our microwave culture, we often want instant gratification. But God's work often unfolds over time. We might plant a seed through a conversation or act of kindness, never knowing how it might grow. Our job is to be faithful in our obedience, trusting God with the outcomes.

This obedience often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Like Isaiah, who responded to God's call with "Here am I. Send me!" even when the message wasn't guaranteed a warm reception, we're called to be willing vessels for God's work.

Or consider Jonah, who initially ran from God's call to preach to Nineveh. His reluctance stemmed from a judgmental attitude towards the Ninevites. How often do we, like Jonah, let our prejudices or past hurts prevent us from sharing God's love with others? The reality is, none of us were worthy of God's grace. We've all hurt others and been hurt. But God's love and forgiveness extend to all who will receive it.

Living in submission to God's mission means recognizing that every interaction, every task, every relationship is an opportunity to share God's love and truth. It's seeing the soup kitchen as more than just a place to feed people physically, but as a chance to offer spiritual nourishment as well. It's realizing that our workplace isn't just where we earn a paycheck, but a mission field where we can demonstrate Christ's love.

This doesn't mean we need to preach sermons at every turn. Sometimes, it's as simple as being ready to share our story - who we were before Christ, how we encountered Him, and how He's changed our lives. It's about being attuned to those moments when someone might be open to hearing about the hope we have.

Embracing this calling requires daily surrender. Each day, we're presented with a choice: Will we say "yes" to God's mission, or will we hold onto our own plans and comfort? The beautiful paradox of the Christian life is that it's in this surrender that we find our true freedom and purpose.

Remember, we don't carry out this mission in our own strength. It's not about our eloquence or persuasive ability. It's about allowing Christ to work through us, being vessels of His love and truth to a world in need.

As we submit ourselves to God's mission, we may find that the world isn't changed by the loudest voices, but by the humblest "yes" to God. It's not about grand gestures or platform, but about faithfulness in the small things, trusting that God can use our obedience in ways we may never fully see this side of eternity.

So today, let's embrace the power of submission. Let's place ourselves under God's mission, ready to be used by Him wherever we are. In doing so, we'll discover that we're part of a story far greater than we could have imagined - the story of God's redemptive work in the world, unfolding one obedient heart at a time.