Submit

From THRIVE with God on YouVersion

Have you ever seen the picture floating around of Jesus, the little girl, and the teddy bears? Jesus and a young girl are facing one another while she tightly holds a small teddy bear in both arms. Jesus has one hand out for her to give Him her teddy bear, and the words “Just trust me” are above His head. Above the little girl’s head are the words, “But I love it, God.”

Unfortunately, there is something the little girl cannot see. Jesus has His other hand behind His back and in it, He holds a teddy bear at least 3 times as big as the one she holds!

Imagine that we are the little child in this scenario. The teddy bears we hold are our plans, desires, attitudes, and control. Our teddy bears may not be the best for us, are failing us, are leading us down the wrong path, or look good in theory but simply are not of God. As we discuss the idea of submitting to God, think of it as releasing our own teddy bears to Him and accepting the ones He has for us.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submission requires a childlike nature that chronological age, the woes of life, and our upbringing can make difficult to do. For some of us, the idea of submission can be cringey because we fought so hard to gain control over our lives. Releasing to God can feel like defeat.

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

For others, the idea of submission can feel suffocating because we are used to doing whatever we want without restraint. Submitting to God can feel like a prison. Wherever you may fall on this spectrum, know that the enemy wants us to feel these negative feelings because if they are strong enough, we may never submit to God and release our “teddy bears” to Him.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Over these past two days, we have sought God’s face and learned how to abide in His presence. As we truly and wholeheartedly abide in Him, we will naturally release what isn’t under submission. Our desires, plans, and ways will begin to shift simply because that is what His presence does. We will want to do what He desires and live how He commands because we love Him that much. Releasing and submitting won’t feel like defeat or a prison, they will feel like victory and freedom!

Pray It Out: Lord, thank You for Your all-knowing nature. While I may not understand all that You do or desire for me to do, I thank You that Your ways and Your thoughts are far higher than mine. I’m asking for help, strength, and courage to release to You. Thank You for being patient with me, having grace, and pouring out mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Write It Out: What area(s) of your life do you need to fully submit to God?