My Submission

It was while I was writing a Christmas play that the theme of submission kept coming to me. I was reminded how it was through submission to God’s will, and obedience to His word, that we can celebrate what happened in the manger some 2,000 years ago. I would like to look at three characters who submitted to the will of God, despite the odds.

Mary was a young girl who was espoused to be married. She had dreams and ambitions in life, until the time an angel appeared with a message from God, which was a big ask. Mary had found favour with God, and He was asking Mary if she would make a room in her womb for a Saviour to be conceived. She knew it was not something she was going to say yes to, and then carry on with her life as usual. She knew this was going to disrupt her life and her plans in a big way. Yet she was ready to submit to the will of God and surrender everything to Him. And with this response, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me”, Mary submitted to the will of God. She risked her marriage being called off, becoming an outcast, publicly shamed, and the talk of the town.

Joseph was a descendant of King David. He was from a royal background. He was an upright, righteous man, with a good reputation. He was a man with the fear of God. That’s why he contemplated breaking up with Mary quietly, to protect her from public shame and ridicule. He was a man of integrity. No wonder God chose him to be Jesus’ earthly father! Even though Joseph might have felt short-changed, he did not seek to be harsh or rude to Mary. When the angel appeared with a message from God, Joseph, like Mary, did not hesitate, but he said ‘Yes’ to the will of God, despite the repercussions. When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary as his wife, knowing full well that it would jeopardise his reputation. He was a man with a pregnant wife, and he was not the father. What mattered to both Mary and Joseph was to submit to what the Lord had for them, even if it meant being misunderstood.

Jesus, the Creator of the universe, through whom all things were created, the image of the invisible God submitted to the will of God the Father, took human form, and was confined to a womb for nine months. He came from dwelling in the heavens to dwelling in the womb of a girl. He lay in the manger. He would become an outcast, suffer rejection, and die a painful death at the hands of those He created.

He said, “Not My will but Your will be done.” It wasn’t an easy task, but He said, ‘Yes’. What manner of love this was! He saw the outcome, the joy that was set before Him, and He endured everything.

It’s not an easy task to submit to the will of God. Most of the time it is contrary to our carnal desires. What is it that the Lord want us to submit to? What do we need to surrender to be able to walk in obedience to His will? In this festive season, what is the Lord asking of us, and what do we need to do to make room for His will in our lives?

Christmas is a reminder of the cost that was paid for the world to have a Saviour. Some individuals inconvenienced their lives and submitted to the will of God. Submitting to God’s will means dying to self and allowing Christ to live in us, decreasing that He may increase. God wants to accomplish His will on earth through us, but are we willing to be available and to submit to His will for us?  Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the champion and the perfecter of our faith. He has promised to be with us till the end of days.