The towel
is the symbol of servanthood. The cross is the symbol of submission and
self-denial.
June’s Awakening, Day 11
Then
he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to
be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
NIV
Let
everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring
judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but
for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in
authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in
authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for
rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of
wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to
submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as
a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are
God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what
you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if
respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1–7 NIV
First, let us identify what
submission is not. Submission is not willingly subjecting yourself to
oppression of any kind, nor is it willingly tolerating or living with abuse in
any form, nor allowing yourself to be taken unfair advantage of. Those are
unhealthy relationships that need to be either resolved or terminated. True
submission is a willful act with ultimate spiritual benefits to be reaped.
Submission.
To be a true servant, one must also be able to be submissive as they are
flip sides of the same coin. Submission means to willingly lay down our agenda
and stubborn self-will to embrace God’s plan and direction for our lives in
obedience. It is a genuine attitude of subordination in the context that we
consider, value, and respect each other just as Christ displayed in His life.
The primary characteristic of
submission is a willful self-denial to allow us freedom to give away to others
and to hold other’s interests in high esteem. Self-denial is not self-contempt.
Self-denial is a healthy attitude and action that counteracts both self-pity
and self-indulgence—knowing that our current sacrifices are for our greater
good and the good of others. Self-denial is truly taking up your cross daily
and following in the footsteps of Jesus. There is no better way to mirror His
life of sacrifice—which ultimately brought Him the highest of power and
victory.
In leadership, the highest point of
power and influence is found in servanthood and submission by using sparingly
your position and voluntarily putting others first. It is not your position
that wields power and respect, it is your person that does so. When you learn
that and can implement that into your everyday experiences, great will be the
rewards you will reap both here and in heaven. The hierarchy of submission in
your life should be as follows: God, Scripture, the family order
(husband/wife/children), fellow believers, our neighbors and the downtrodden in
need, and then the community and government at large. Submission should never
be undertaken to a point of unhealthiness or to any point that would contradict
the Word of God.
As a final note, one must always
remember that spiritual authority is God ordained and God sustained, regardless
if human institutions acknowledge this or not. A position of authority does not
necessarily give you spiritual authority, and true authority is marked by both
a real power with heart-felt compassion. It’s time to take up your cross.
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