Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
Today, in the book of 1 Peter, we consider the word “submit”. Not a popular word these days, is it?
Peter applies this word four groups of people:
Slaves, submit to your masters. (1 Pet 2:18)
Wives, submit to your husbands. (1 Pet 3:1)
Young people, submit to your elders. (1 Pet 5:5)
Everyone, submit to the government. (1 Pet 2:13)
Peter may be keen on the word “submit”, but we’re not. I prefer to grow through expressing myself, becoming assertive, living free. Not much room for submission there!
Our western culture values freeing slaves from their masters, and citizens from oppressive governments. But Moses didn’t submit to Pharaoh. He led the Israelite slaves away from the Egyptian government and away from their Egyptian slave masters.
And what about women? Do they have a right to throw off patriarchal oppression, and find their way to a promised land of equality and justice?
Here are three situations where we submit.
1. First, we submit to the laws of nature. Hiking in the mountains this summer, I climbed over fallen logs instead of waking through them. I went round the lake instead of through it. I walked carefully across the avalanche slope instead of jogging. I submitted to the laws of nature in order to gain the high country with its fresh air and amazing views.
2. Second, we obey the laws of relationship. These are more fluid and variable laws than those of nature. Gravity pulls in one direction only, but there is push and pull, give and take in friendships, employment, marriages, and politics. The slopes and scree fields of relationships require thoughtful navigation.
As does my relationship with the government. I could show disapproval by not paying taxes. But that wouldn’t turn out well. Peter’s advice: chill out, submit.
In my working life, as my colleagues and I grew older, we began reporting to younger managers, who were hired or promoted above us. Several colleagues lost their jobs because they knew better than the young upstarts, and they let them know it. Sometimes I knew better too, but I exercised a submissive caution.
God also follows the laws of relationship. He doesn’t usually say, “Submit or else”. He loves me, he draws me into a relationship, working with me to change my point of view.
3. A third form of submission is obedience to the Spirit of God in my life. It’s not always clear when I am hearing God and when I am hearing my own inner voice or preference. But it is important to listen and discern until my way becomes clear.
Let’s pray.
Our father, you seek us because you want relationship.
What return have we made for your great love?
Have we been surly slaves, resenting your authority?
Have we been disobedient children, not trusting your goodness?
Have we been unfaithful spouses, not welcoming your presence in our inmost lives?
Teach us the grace of submission. To keep rules we need to keep. To move beyond the rules to a new heart that makes us friends and partners, in love with you and your family.
Amen.
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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