Friends,

Last week I wrote a post about how we need to submit to God by walking in obedience and trusting His plan and purpose. I argued that we have opportunities daily to practice through microsubmissions. These may be things like overlooking offenses, using formal manners or obeying our parents. I also said that while the idea of submission is repugnant to our culture, we should do it anyway because it is ultimately for our good.

While this is true, I regret writing it. The primary reason we should be worshipping and submitting is because HE IS GOD! It feels like I could rightly be amongst the people R.C. Sproul yelled at: “What is wrong with you people?”

I hope to never again write about how submission benefits me before I argue that it is what we owe the One True King.

Interestingly, on Sunday afternoon my husband and I listened to a Tim Keller sermon that happened to address this exact point.

Keller said, “We hate the idea of a king. We hate the idea of someone who has rights over us. We hate the idea of a king who has a yoke on us that says, ‘You belong to me. You are not your own. You must do as I say.’”

Our lives are marked by a perpetual search for belonging, even those with the most secular worldview would admit as much. Yet we will not know true belonging so long as we reject the yoke. It is this symbol that so aptly depicts our ultimate belonging, and this principle that our sinful nature so consistently and adamantly rejects.

Keller also quoted George MacDonald who said, “The central conviction in hell is ‘I am my own.'”

The truth is that you are not your own. You were bought at a price and the cost was immense. Jesus offers to put his head in the yoke with you, to love and to guide you, but you need to be yielded and trusting. How wonderful that even in the midst of this world that feels so out of control and full of hate, we can trust these gentle words of Jesus, which solve the paradox of belonging.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30.

I am praying that revival breaks out all across our nation and the world. It is how we will know rest for our souls.

With Love,

Kristie