Fearless Submission

Humility has often felt like the option the feeble and reticent choose out of necessity. The man of boldness and brawn chooses to administrate his own life. However, I’ve become utterly convinced that humble submission to Jesus is the most intrepid move a person can make. In giving deference to the Lord, we discover ourselves facing, head on, every fear we have.

Consider the idea of being wholly submissive to one person, in this case, Jesus. Your life is theirs to control. Your fears don't matter. You are forced to live more courageously than you ever have, because now, you can't avoid anything. If God asks you to express your beliefs in a group of condemnatory people, not an uncommon situation in the university setting, you have to. If you're asked to confront a best friend or, worse, a respected leader, about their lives, you must. If Christ calls you to cut off a relationship with a girlfriend or boyfriend, then, though it terrifies and pains you, it's obligatory.

Now, I realize that I gave the impression that free will becomes essentially nonexistent here. That's not true, for if the ability to choose is eliminated, then fears become irrelevant. The reality is that even after "accepting Jesus" as the Lord of our lives, we still retain our volition and the choice to surrender ourselves to Him presents itself an indefinite number of times everyday. And when we are required to act on something that creates a great guttural unease, igniting physical or social fears in us, it necessitates bravery beyond what we've ever needed in choosing capitulation.

So, the life of the follower of Jesus looks audacious. From the outside, it looks fearless. On the inside, it is gradually becoming that way. God works in us to will His will and to act accordingly. When Jesus truly is Lord, in our hearts and in the outworkings of our hearts, fear dissipates from every part of our lives, because our God is bigger and His will better… than anything, than everything. To get to this point, however, it takes an inordinate amount of determined courage and faith.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a matter worthy of the gospel. Then... I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel, not being afraid in any way by those who oppose you. This will be a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved. - Philippians 1