What if we gave it a try?
Submission.
Not exactly a popular word in the American lexicon.
Not something that gets praised on a regular basis.
But Jesus submitted. So did the Virgin Mary. The Apostle Paul wrote about submission. They all practiced what is often looked down upon in American culture.
So, with Mary, Jesus, and Paul as examples, I want to argue that a practice of submission should be a part of one's discipleship to Jesus.
To start off, I want to refer you to some verses from the Bible as reference points for this discussion:
Luke 1:36-38, MSG - The Virgin Mary
Philippians 2:5-11, MSG - Jesus
Colossians 3:18-25, MSG - The Apostle Paul
In these three passages, we see that the Virgin Mary submitted to her immaculate pregnancy, that Jesus submitted by becoming human and going to the cross, and that the Apostle Paul instructed us to submit in our closest relationships - both inside our homes and in our workplaces.
So what does that mean for us?
A quick personal example to start us off, from my ongoing efforts in therapy:
I've learned that perfectionism can be great for performance and achievement, but it can also take a toll on relationships. I'm working to reel in my perfectionism so that I can, first, be less of an anxious presence in my home, and, two, so that I can better communicate with my wife and kids. I'm at the beginning of this work, but my wife and our therapist are invested in every step of this long way. So "the process" is now ongoing.
The connection to our current discussion on submission is this: I know I will not progress in addressing my perfectionism if I don't SUBMIT to the suggestions my wife and therapist give to me in this area. If I shrug off, ignore, or flat out reject their suggestions, I will never progress with my perfectionism - and I will be left with the kind of relational unhealth that so pervades perfectionist expectations.
So, for me, my work around perfectionism is a practice of submission. Submission to my wife. To my therapist. To therapy, in general. To the process of becoming a better husband and father.
So, again, submission.
Submission is not a popular practice in America.
Even in our founding, the revolutionary Americans were very smart, very well-read, genius rebels, REFUSING to submit to the King of England and the demands of the British Empire. Our founding fathers' refusal to submit changed the course of history, and set forth the foundational American truths of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But submission is not exactly front and center in the Declaration of Independence.
So, then, how do we practice the discipline of submission in today's America?
The first practice in a discipline of submission is to follow Mary's example and be "ready to serve" God with whatever He has called you to do, to "let it be with [you] just as [God says]" (Luke 1:36-38, MSG). So our first practice is to submit in our relationship to God, following what God wants for our life. That's easier said than done for sure, as God's plan for each of us is unique and nuanced and complex. But we still can follow Mary's lead and be willing to go where God leads us.
The second practice in a discipline of submission is to follow Jesus' example: "When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! […] It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11, MSG)…
…This means we are to submit to a very specific kind of life: a life of sacrifice, of humility, of selflessness, of obedience. It's a submission to a kind of death to self so that God might raise you up to new life, to resurrection, to an apprenticeship to and relationship with Him.
The third practice in a discipline of submission is to follow the writings of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3: "Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. […] Children, do what your parents tell you. […] Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master […] Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:18-25, MSG)…
…This means that, in our marriages and closest relationships, we are to submit to one another in love. This also means that, in our workplaces, we are to submit to hard work for our bosses and for our companies and, ultimately, for our Lord.
So, to summarize:
We are to submit to God like Mary did.
We are to submit to a certain kind of life that is modeled after Jesus' life.
We are to submit to our spouse or partner.
We are to submit to our parents.
We are to submit to our boss or our leadership team or our company.
But wait… I know there are gaps in this argument. The most pressing objections come when abuse or exploitation are present in any of these instances. Spouses, parents, companies, churches, governments, and economic systems can all exhibit abusive and/or exploitative practices. And I believe, as people of faith, we need to lift up the abused and exploited and hold accountable the abusers and the exploiters. We absolutely have that responsibility.
But "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - or the more recent "Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else" - are not the solutions. They are not Gospel. At least not in my faith tradition. Submission is, instead, one of the places where the Jesus Way can start. Submission to what God wants for you. Submission to a life modeled after Jesus' life. Submission to those closest to you.
In total, I know that submission is not a popular word or practice here in 2023 America.
But God might be calling us to it.
Submission might just be the front door to new life - or even to eternity.
Just maybe.
What would happen if we gave it a try?
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