Submission in marriage seems to be associated with a lot of negative thoughts or feelings. Many think submitting makes you a weak person. You are perceived to be someone who has no voice, gets walked all over, a wimp, punk, door mat, pushover… you get my point. I see submission as a form of power and strength! However, there is a key variable involved for it to be considered a form of strength. Let me explain…
Years ago, I was reading a story in the book of Matthew about when king Herod had his panties in a bunch because some wise men came by his crib looking for the newborn king to worship (baby Jesus). King Herod was jealous and wasn’t about to let no baby take his spot as king, so in all his craziness he sent soldiers out to kill all baby boys who were two years old and younger. FYI Herod was so vicious he even had his own son killed to protect his throne! God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream telling him to get up and run away with Mary and baby Jesus because Herod was trying to kill Jesus. Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus and left that night (Matthew 2:13-15)!
I’m sure you’re probably like “ummm Larissa what the heck does this have to do about submission?” Well, I’m glad you asked! I had read this story many times before, however, on this particular day, I believe the Holy Spirit was able to illuminate this scripture for me like never before! Submission was the message that I received that day. You see, since Joseph was submitted to God and his authority, he was able to hear and recognize Gods instructions to flee. Because Joseph was submitted to God’s authority, he didn’t hesitate or postpone the angel’s instructions, and left that very night. Because of Josephs submission, he was obedient to God and in doing so, saved Jesus, which ultimately saved OUR LIVES!!! What about Mary and her role? Let’s look at it from the example of a married couple. Submission can be hard, but since Mary knew that her husband was a man that submits to God, she was able to trust his leadership! Joseph showed her she can trust him/submit to him back in Matthew chapter one when he married her despite her being pregnant and him not being the father (biblical baby daddy and baby momma drama lol). It was easy for Mary to submit to Joseph because Joseph first submitted to God by not abandoning the marriage and keeping her as his wife. Now since Mary was submitted to her husband, she got up and fled in the middle of the night with her brand-new baby! That had to be hard! I’m sure she was tired from the demands of taking care a newborn including breastfeeding on demand. What would life be like if she decided to clap back, pop of at the mouth, snapped her neck at Joseph and went off on a rant about how she wasn’t going to get up and leave because that’s stupid and she was tired. If Mary had done that, Jesus would have been killed! Do you see how submission can be powerful?
Especially in the example of marriage, submission can symbolize and show strength! But the key to submission in marriage is God! Joseph was able to lead his family because he was submitted under Gods authority and was led by God. This definitely made it possible for Mary to be a submissive wife. Think about it, if you know your spouse is led by God, you will be able to trust their leadership and submit to them, even if what they are asking sounds scary or crazy (fleeing in the middle of the night with a newborn).
I encourage you to look at submission from a different perspective! It takes strength to let someone else lead and “’take the reins” in your life. You need trust and faith! It takes a strong person and a lot of self-control not to let your “inner ratchetness” shine through! When it’s God led, submission is power! So, who’s the punk now?
