submission Archives - Sharla Fritz

One day, when our children were ages three and six, my husband came home from work and announced, “Let’s homeschool next year.”

My first thought was, “That’s easy for you to say since you wouldn’t be the one doing it.”

My second thought was, “I’ve already told God that homeschooling is something I would NEVER do.”

Submission is a spiritual discipline. Not necessarily in submitting to our husbands or to figures of authority–although God may deal with us in those areas as well. I’m talking about submission to God. Surrendering to God’s will for our lives is a way to demonstrate our trust in His goodness and love.

Lent is a time when we often give up something–a sacrifice of a food or activity that will help us remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When I read the Gospels I am astounded by Christ’s constant sacrifice for us on earth. Not only a surrender of His life on the cross but a daily sacrifice of His own preferences–a submission to the Father’s will.

Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane informs us that the sacrifice on the cross was not easy. He asked if there was any other way to accomplish the Father’s plan, but He added, “Not as I will, but as You will.” And even before Gethsemane, Jesus often said that His purpose was to do the Father’s will. He gave up a lot when He came to earth. In heaven, Jesus was worshipped; on earth, He was questioned and ridiculed. In heaven, Jesus never experienced hunger or pain; on earth, His stomach growled and His feet probably developed blisters. But when God asked Jesus to give up His life for unworthy humans, Jesus didn’t stamp those feet and declare–like I did–“That is something I will NEVER do.” He submitted to the will of the Father.

All those years ago when my husband suggested homeschooling, I told my husband I would look into it. I had no intention of actually educating my children at home, but my plan was to do a little research and then inform my husband that it wasn’t for us. Trouble was, as I was reading about homeschooling, I could feel the Spirit’s gentle nudge that this was God’s plan for us. I didn’t want to homeschool, but eventually, I submitted my will to God’s idea and enjoyed fifteen wonderful years of educating my children.

Is the Lord asking you to exercise the Spiritual discipline of Submission? Maybe you already sense God asking you to do something that you are not exactly thrilled about. Perhaps you’ve already drawn a line in the sand and told God, “Never.” But God is drawing you to Himself reminding you of His great love and that He has wonderful plans for your life. All He asks is that we trust Him.

Pray, asking the Father if there is something you need to surrender in order to grow in faith. Ask Him:

Are You nudging me to do something that’s out of my comfort zone?
Is there dream or goal that I have that is not in Your plan?
Is there a hobby, activity, or organization that I need to give up in order to spend more time with You?
Lord, is there something wonderful You have for me that I haven’t even thought of?

As we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, let us also ask God if there is something in our own lives that we need to surrender. It is never easy to give up our own ideas, our own plans, our own dreams, but God promises that He has something wonderful planned for us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

He is ready to give us more than we have ever dreamed.

Next step: Download this resource with Scriptures about Christ’s submission to the Father’s will. This week contemplate Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Then ask the Father if there is anything you need to surrender.

“Sharla, you most certainly would be classified as a Field Marshal.”

My sister-in-law’s words caught me off guard. I was sitting at the dinner table enjoying a relaxed meal with my extended family. We were passing potatoes and sharing stories when my sister-in-law began talking about a personality test she was using at work. She was so excited about the test that she started to guess how each of us might be classified.

She went around the table, identifying each person: “You would probably be called a Mastermind.” “I think you would be a Champion.” “You might be a Healer.”

I wondered what I might be. Mastermind or Champion sounded impressive. But when my sister-in-law looked at me and called me a Field Marshal, I was stunned. How could she compare me to a bossy military commander who ordered troops?

Was she right? Did other people perceive me as bossy and controlling? Even though I wasn’t convinced I was the one wearing a field marshal uniform, my sister-in-law’s comment forced me to look at myself. Well, I did like to keep things organized. Like an army officer, I took charge of my surroundings: clothes arranged by color, kitchen utensils by use, and books by author’s last name. But did that make me a control freak?

OK, maybe I wore that field marshal uniform more often than I wanted to admit. I noticed my inner control freak often came out when working with others. I couldn’t help offering “suggestions”: “Don’t you think it would be better if we did it this way?” “I’ve found this method to be much more successful.” “I really don’t think that’s right.”

Then I realized I sometimes did the same thing with my heavenly Father: “God, my life would be so much better if You answered my prayers according to my plan.” “This is not the way my life should be going!”

When I looked at myself honestly, I couldn’t deny I had a few control issues. So I took my sister-in-law’s words to heart and tried to change my ways. I realized that my relationships with God and the people in my life could be improved if I stepped out of the commander’s uniform.

If we’re truthful, we all like to be in control. But when we’re ready to change, the first step is realizing that God is the One wearing the field marshal suit.

James 4:7 says,

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.”

The Greek word for submit is actually a military term meaning “to rank under.” In other words, if I am submitting to God, I am willing to obey Him. I am the one who takes orders, not gives them.

Okay, I admit this is not easy, especially for someone labeled a Field Marshal. It goes against everything in me to let God be in charge of my life. I want things to go my way.

But then I remember: God is God and I am not. No matter how badly I want to control the universe to my advantage, the truth is—God is in control. When I pull against His leading, I am only struggling out of His loving hand.

A surprising thing happens when I stop straining and allow my heavenly Father to lead me. When I let Him direct my life, I find that I’m happier than when I foolishly think I’m the one in charge. When I stop pounding my fists and demanding my way, I can open up my hands for God’s blessings.

This post was adapted from my book for teens and young women:

Divine Makeover: God Makes You Beautiful.

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Practicing Lent: Submission

Why Giving Up Control Isn’t Always a Bad Thing