FRIENDS: i’ve been up for quite a while now. the sky brightened slowly this morning, going from dark to light grey- the rain has been constant, and the cloud cover thick. so far, i’ve had so many things on my mind and in my heart, swirling around, that i feel a bit crowded. i’ve immersed myself in scattered activity. i really want to be quiet, but with all my words and thoughts and feelings flying in all directions, quiet is not happening. i’ve been very conversational in my time with the Lord, just talking and going into detail with him, jumping from one topic to another. seeking him, then getting caught up in other things. it’s been a fight, to face the day. i’d much rather retreat inside myself and let the day go on without me really engaging it. i’d much rather choose to get by on yesterday’s bread, to go along and swim in a haze until the day is over. i wonder, do you ever feel tossed about like a shook-up snowglobe? like a giant compass, looking for north, still wobbling, not quite settled onto the right direction?
well earlier, when it was still dark, i woke from a disturbing dream. as my husband placed his hand on my head and prayed for me, i felt a giant covering of protection fall over my whole being. i sank into it, i let him intercede for me, and do spiritual battle on my behalf. i submitted, and my husband led me spiritually. and so it is with God this day… when i am wobbly, i often just want God to be that friend who will listen to me ramble, and sometimes i avoid seeking the Lord because there’s just too much going on inside of me (or so i think). i put God off. i get bogged down in my self and trying to “figure things out.” just like waking from a bad dream, i get lost in confusion and i get shook up, turned around, lost. but just like my husband whose leadership was so clear this morning- God also desires that i simply submit to him, whether i’ve got things figured out inside or not. could it really be that simple? just submit? what about all my thoughts, feelings?
in ephesians, paul says that we are to grow up in Christ and not be tossed back and forth by the waves. he says that we need to live lives of love, coming out of the darkness, and the futile, hard-hearted understanding of those without Christ. paul writes about submitting: “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” he goes on to list instructions for sumbitting in human relationships- wives, husbands, children, parents, slaves, masters. apparently submission is important for the battles we face as Christians. submitting to each other and to God prepares us to face all kinds of things.
now that i’ve decided to submit to God, the sun has come out of the clouds- just as the futile cloud of swirling thoughts has lifted from my mind. the battles of this day may not be over, but at least now i’m prepared to face them. “finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s evil schemes. for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms…” ephesians 6.10-13.
Lord Jesus, i thank you for your grace, for my husband’s leadership, and i pray for my friends reading this day– bless them with strength to submit to you, and cover them with your protection and love. wake each of us to the security we have in you, and teach us how to overcome.
