Submission. It sometimes feels like a dirty word. As an independent-minded oldest daughter, submission has been a challenging thread that’s followed me all my life. Scripture has plenty to say on the subject, clearly explaining how as we follow Christ’s example and submit our lives and actions to the Lord, we live into the upside-down kingdom and give glory to God alone.

Here are 4 things I’ve learned about submission that have helped make it less of a dirty word:

1. Jesus modeled submission.

Setting aside the comforts and perfection of heaven, Christ obeyed his Father and took on the form of a human infant, spent 33 years on our sin-sick planet, and died a torturous criminal’s death. Philippians 2:5 instructs us to “adopt the same mind as Christ Jesus”.

2. Submission establishes God as supreme.

When we submit to the will of God, we acknowledge that His will is greater than ours. We are so prone to make ourselves the god of our little universe, so this frequent reminder of God’s supremacy every time we submit is so needed. Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God”.

3. Submission is a choice.

This might be my favorite one. When I choose to submit, it’s a deliberate act of love and worship to God. There’s plenty of teaching on how God chooses us as His children, but it’s good to remember that we respond to this by choosing to serve Him. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that “we love because He first loved us”.

4. Submission is for everyone.

Whether we’re submitting to God Himself or to an earthly authority that God has ordained, the call to submission is for all believers. It’s part of God’s design for His honor and our good. James 4:7 says to “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Submission is all about setting aside our own desires, preferences, privileges, etc. and accepting the will of another. It’s saying, “not my will, but yours be done” and letting it become our act of worship. Our new song, “Your Will Be Done”, is a call and reminder to always be seeking the will of the Father. To follow after Christ’s example in choosing to honor God, together as His church, for His glory.

Your Will Be Done

Your will be done my God and Father

As in heaven so on earth

My heart is drawn to self-exalting

Help me seek Your kingdom first

As Jesus walked so shall I walk

Held by Your same unchanging love

Be still my soul O lift your voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

How in that garden he persisted

I may never fully know

The fearful weight of true obedience

It was held by him alone

What wondrous faith to bear that cross

To bear my sin what wondrous love

My hope was sure when there my Savior prayed

Father not my will but Yours be done

When I am lost when I am broken

In the night of fear and doubt

Still I will trust in my good Father

Yes to one great King I bow

As Jesus rose so I shall rise

In ransomed glory at the throne

My heart restored with all Your saints I sing

Father not my will but Yours be done

As we go forth our God and Father

Lead us daily in the fight

That all the world might see Your glory

And Your Name be lifted high

And in this Name we overcome

For You shall see us safely home

Now as Your church we lift our voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

And in this Name we overcome

For You shall see us safely home

Now as Your church we lift our voice and pray

Father not my will but Yours be done

CCLI Song # 7149566
Jonny Robinson | Rich Thompson
© CityAlight Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 702888

Looking for some music to enrich your personal worship throughout the week? Check our Calvary Worship Favorites playlist on Spotify. It’s an assortment of songs that we sing on the regular during our Sunday worship services.

If you want to get a taste of what we’ll be singing on any upcoming Sunday, check out our This Sunday At Calvary playlist. This list is updated weekly with the songs we’re planning to lead at the upcoming Sunday service.