Submission

**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
   

With every Spiritual Discipline comes a corresponding freedom. The freedom that corresponds to the Discipline of submission is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get our way. 

                                      -  Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster

    Many of us have a revolting, nauseating, knee-jerk reaction to the word “submission”. I do. Exploring this subject as a spiritual discipline gave me a better grounding for what this truly involves as well as what gift comes from it. We practice Disciplines not for the Disciplines sake but in order to open ways for God to transform us. We do the discipline and He transforms … however He chooses.

    Is it shocking that freedom can come from choosing to submit?

    What are your thoughts? How do you respond to the word submission? How do you unnecessarily demand you “get your way”?

**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**

Ms. Fix-It

**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**

    I have a habit of fixing things, of helping, of stepping in when not asked or offering help without asking. I have often hurt things by my attempt to help. For some reason, I assume that everyone could use some help. Not only do I assume that everyone could use my help, I also place that assumption on God.

    Surely God needs my help to fix my sin, to smooth out rough edges and to take care of things. Surely God could use some assistance. (Are you laughing yet??)

    If I am honest with myself I am trying to fix me rather than allow God to transform me. Fixing has me in charge, in control and with a timeline. Allow God to transform me involves trust, surrender and His timeline. (Did I just use three curse words?)

    How are you trying to “fix it” rather than trusting God to transform? How will you trust in His perfect process to conform you to become more and more like Christ?

**Sit quietly again for as long as is available to you.**