Submission Strengthens

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you."

~James 4:7-8

Submit. Eek...that's a tough word to swallow, even tougher to do.  But if a sunflower didn't submit itself to the sun, then it would never bloom.  Likewise, if we do not submit ourselves to the Son, then we will never fully bloom. Submit yourselves, then, to God...

Submission is not weakness.  Submission strengthens.  It strengthens the bond I have with God when I submit to Him.  It strengthens a husband to his wife.  It strengthens a parent to his child.  It strengthens a teacher to his student.  It strengthens an employer to his employee.  Submission strengthens.  

This morning God woke me up at 4:00.  I know it was God because I do not get up willingly at 4:00.  My alarm was not set to go off for another hour, but there I was, wide awake.  Did I submit to God and get up?  Nope.  I sadly rolled over in bed and convinced myself it was too early and there was nothing I could do anyway at that ridiculously early hour; and so, I fell back asleep.  

Had I submitted to God at that hour by getting up and spending time with Him, I most likely would have had enough Spiritual fuel to get me through today.  I most likely would've been a little less stressed.  I most likely would've been more prepared and less rushed.  I most DEFINITELY would have been strengthened.  

I'll never know about what could've happened today because I did not submit.  I will, however, think twice before rolling over again.  No doubt I'll be tested on this.  But whether I am or not, I do know that when God calls me to submit to Him, I must do as He asked.  If I ever want to become stronger in my relationship with God, then I must submit.  Likewise must you.  To become fully bloomed, submission strengthens us in the fullness of Him.