Following The Right Example

By Crystal Eddlemon

In His infinite wisdom knowing us from beginning to end He encourages us to be submissive. I struggle with this concept. My struggles with rebellion became dangerously defiant as a teenager. I had the need to express my independence by breaking all the rules. I was a menace to school authorities to reach my goal of being expelled from school. I’d smoke in the hallways and fight so I could be placed in a secondary school where my older brother was. I was a follower, and I looked up to my two older brothers. They were cool, and I wanted to be cool too. It was the in thing to do. It was my choice, and I choose to act like a fool.

I do regret a lot of things. I was going through a phase of rebellion, but it ended with me being pregnant at 16. This changed my life dramatically.

If wish I’d taken heed to 1 Peter 5:5: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for GOD resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

Life is a learning process. Even as an adult I still struggle with submission. I know what I should be doing. I hear the whisper of guidance I still sometimes try to ignore. I’ve found that it really can’t be ignored. Postponed yes, no matter how hard I might try the fork in the road always presents itself. It’s the gentle nudges that God gives. Often we leave Him with the only option of letting us hit the wall. He gives the gift of free will. Lovingly watching us make our own choices. He is always there to help us with the clean up.

Paul tells us in James 4:7: “ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

I wonder why many times I never really listened. When I know my best interest is at heart and only wonderful things will come.

It’s much easier to trust Him than to trust my own judgment. My own perception is distorted and my vision is clouded. I now know how to be humble. I know how to show compassion and love. I need to work on my forgiveness.

I am still a follower. I just follow different examples. I don’t always get it right, but by grace I always have opportunity to change. The definition of submission is the act of submitting, yielding, or surrendering. There are too many things too big for me to handle. The most powerful thing I can do is surrender.

“Fear may induce the show of submission; but love only can truly subjugate a haughty spirit.” Also, “ Yielding with coy submission, modest pride, and sweet reluctant amorous delay.” Mary Cowden Clark

Crystal Eddlemon writes from Medford, Oregon.