On Sunday, I was appreciating the fact that I actually walked away from a message on 1 Peter 3 feeling encouraged. I don’t think that has really ever happened in my life! Most of the time, hearing messages on this topic of submission is truly difficult, and I have sat through many where I walked away depressed, anxious, and unsure how I was going to live out this biblical principle.
Let’s face it…submission is hard. No matter how you look at it, coming under the mission of someone else is truly an act of laying down your own will, your own flesh, and all the desires and expectations you had over a given situation.
But there are some things that make it easier, and I love that Pastor Jason pointed those out. And truthfully, I think that’s what encouraged me and gave me comfort. I thought about the many godly leaders God has put in my life, and I walked away feeling safer knowing that the responsibility rested on their shoulders, but ultimately it was God’s final say in how things would go.
We answer to Him, He is the one that we submit to in everything…and that makes all the other grey areas appear much more clearly.
I also really appreciated how Pastor Jason pointed out that Jesus was the ultimate example of submission — and it didn’t mean He was as quiet as a mouse or as flat as a doormat. He regularly had open conversations with His Father about His ministry here on earth. He didn’t carry His mental load alone, He made sure to regularly bring those things before God.
He wasn’t quiet, or passive…but He was meek. Meekness was His strength.
Whenever I am feeling that familiar pull of my flesh to want to control, to take over in a situation, to get “my way”…I like to come back to Matthew 11:28-30:
“...Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (NKJV)
Right here, Christ describes Himself as gentle and lowly…characteristics you would never expect to describe a great leader. I think our society often sees leaders as those who are charismatic, outgoing, or over-the-top. But here, we see the greatest Leader of all time being characterized as “gentle” and “lowly”….what a contrast to what we would ever expect.
But that’s who Jesus is…unexpected. He changes things and turns them upside down. He shows us a model of leadership that we would never think up ourselves. He teaches us to wash feet before we ever step into a position of leadership.
I like how Dane C. Ortlund says it in his book “Gentle & Lowly”:
“Meek. Humble. Gentle. Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to Him is not a pointed finger but open arms.”
That’s what He offers us…His open arms. He truly is worthy of being followed!
Let’s face it…submission is hard. No matter how you look at it, coming under the mission of someone else is truly an act of laying down your own will, your own flesh, and all the desires and expectations you had over a given situation.
But there are some things that make it easier, and I love that Pastor Jason pointed those out. And truthfully, I think that’s what encouraged me and gave me comfort. I thought about the many godly leaders God has put in my life, and I walked away feeling safer knowing that the responsibility rested on their shoulders, but ultimately it was God’s final say in how things would go.
We answer to Him, He is the one that we submit to in everything…and that makes all the other grey areas appear much more clearly.
I also really appreciated how Pastor Jason pointed out that Jesus was the ultimate example of submission — and it didn’t mean He was as quiet as a mouse or as flat as a doormat. He regularly had open conversations with His Father about His ministry here on earth. He didn’t carry His mental load alone, He made sure to regularly bring those things before God.
He wasn’t quiet, or passive…but He was meek. Meekness was His strength.
Whenever I am feeling that familiar pull of my flesh to want to control, to take over in a situation, to get “my way”…I like to come back to Matthew 11:28-30:
“...Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (NKJV)
Right here, Christ describes Himself as gentle and lowly…characteristics you would never expect to describe a great leader. I think our society often sees leaders as those who are charismatic, outgoing, or over-the-top. But here, we see the greatest Leader of all time being characterized as “gentle” and “lowly”….what a contrast to what we would ever expect.
But that’s who Jesus is…unexpected. He changes things and turns them upside down. He shows us a model of leadership that we would never think up ourselves. He teaches us to wash feet before we ever step into a position of leadership.
I like how Dane C. Ortlund says it in his book “Gentle & Lowly”:
“Meek. Humble. Gentle. Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to Him is not a pointed finger but open arms.”
That’s what He offers us…His open arms. He truly is worthy of being followed!
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.