Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
Who’s in charge?
Before walking with the Lord, we were on the rebellious road of self-will and bowed to our own ways, thoughts, and desires. Though new creations in Christ now, we still often find ourselves grasping tightly to the idol of self. I can testify that stubborn self-will and navel-gazing can still be a problematic past-time. It boils down to forgetting who we belong to, who we serve, who sits on the throne. We are not our own but belong to our Lord and King (1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20;Isaiah 64:8). The discipline of submission calls us to release our grip on the idol of self and grasp on to our identity in Christ, surrendering to His authority. The intentional daily disciplines of remembering our baptism, acknowledging that Christ is our King, submitting also to one another, and trusting that our loving Father’s will is always for our good, guard us against straying back to self-will. In baptism, our old nature was put to death, buried and we were raised to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Jesus sits securely on His throne, and we as Kingdom citizens submit to his authority for the purpose of glorifying Him (1 Peter 2:9-10; 1 Peter 4:11). Our focus is upward to Christ our King and outward toward one another (Philippians 2:1-8; Ephesians 5:15-21; ). We trust and have assurance that surrendering our will to His brings us freedom, healing, and refreshment (Proverbs 3:8). “Heavenly Father, help us lean not on our own understanding but humbly submit to your authority. May we look to Christ’s ultimate example of humility and self-sacrifice on the cross. By the power of your Holy Spirit help us daily take up our crosses and follow you, dying to self and living in you to your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Jeanette Kash
HopePointe Anglican Church
The Woodlands, TX
