Being Submissive

   The Bible often tells us to be submissive, submit to God(James 4:7), to our parents(Ephesians 6:1), to our authority(Titus 3:1). What the Bible tells us to do is always right because it's God's word and God is always right, but unfortunately, today's culture has given the word 'submissive' a negative connotation. Do we want to be walked over, disrespected, or restrained? Of course not, but that isn't what being submissive means. In reality, being submissive gives you more strength and freedom than always fighting back ever could!

   When we submit to God, for instance, He reveals His plan for our life. When we know His plan we can live accordingly, even if we just know bits and pieces. And when we live according to God's plan, we live a richer, fuller life without reason for worry or fear. When living the full life He's planned, we not only feel free but we are free. 

   When we submit to our parents and other authority, we don't conform into the people we are submitting to, instead they can help shape us into the person we were designed to be. (Resistance to authority can conform us more drastically than the authority itself ever could, we turn sour and rebellious and that's not God's design.) If we do submit to them, we will also gain more and more respect and trust from them which will, in turn, allow us more freedom. 

   We must always remember that God's kingdom is a kingdom of opposites. Just as the humble are exulted(Mathew 23:12) and as the king lowers himself to wash our feet(John 13:5), submitting shows strength not weakness. Resisting is what restrains us, submitting is what sets us free. All our life there will be people to submit to and we must remember that being submissive is a sign of strength as well as God's will and way!