Submission is a very interesting word (linguistically speaking). I don't k now much about linguistics or the origins of words, but from what I do know, the part 'sub' means under or beneath and 'mission'...uhm...I guess that could mean project or purpose or I don't know. A whole lot of other things, but checked it out in the dictionary to have an origin in 'to send'. If we put that together what do we get?
Sub-under/beneath
Mission- to send
To send under? I am not a linguist, but this looks about right. If send under my wills, I submit my wills to something else. Submission, or sending under, means that there is something ontop and in this case, it would be the will of God and what He has planned.
The devotion for today is from Santiago 4:1-10/ James 4:1-10. It talks about how we (as humans) need to let go of the selfish (having the characteristics of devotion to oneself) things in this life that are so destructive; cause us to fight, kill, envy, commit adultery, make enemies with God, amongst others. So when we realize the need to get rid of this, James goes on to explain how important it is to be humble.
From verses 5-10, he explains where God fits in this: He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.<--vs. 6 and a whole list of things we should do to reach humility in the sight of God and what God's response is.
Personally, I don't see myself as the outwardly proud person, but in my everyday life, I see how proud I can get. When I make plans, I just assume that I am obviously capable in my own strength to bring them to realization or when someone says "WOW. You must have been a great student in hs to attend such a fantastic college" my response is usually a 'Yea' or something along those lines...I mean...it's true, but why is it true. Not because of what I was capable of doing, but how God worked through me.
So when it comes time to 'send under' my own image of myself and how great I think I am, then I can truly see God work in me. James mentions in vs. 10 'Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up". This is hinting that when we make the decision to put ourself under, God will show up and lift us up on His own special way.
Enough of being prideful and selfish. Time to "Submit, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" vs 7. Basically sums up what James is saying in this entire passage (1-10). I can't say 'sending under' is an easy concept to grab because we all want to be able to control things in our life, but I guess the issue is when we think we know better than God does and our way of controlling is the best way.
Supongo que total submission is the best submission. Giving in completely.
Alright, well, enjoy your day, remember to give God the control and definitely pray about it if this is something more difficult. Prayer is one way of relinquishing control because we recognize that communicating with God leads to Him having His will be done.
Chao y un gran abrazo,
Ife 'Quipayan' S.
P.S. I leave for the US of A in exactly 12 hours!!
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