When we submit to the Lord and don’t make decisions on our own understanding, God can work in our lives in ways we wouldn’t expect!  I am not saying that is will be easy. There will be trials and tribulations because it happens whether you are a Christian or not.  The difference about Christianity is that from all religions, God comes down to man, instead of man trying to get to god!  The one true living God is the only one who has actually shown us the example of what He expects from us.

One of the stories in the Bible that displays the life of submission is Joseph.  He had dreams and decides to tell his father and his brothers that he is going to someday rule over them and this made them furious!  How would you like to hear that!  Joseph ends up getting beat up by his brothers and sold as a slave.  Knowing the dreams he had, he doesn’t give up hope for God’s plan.  Since God is the ultimate authority and has placed earthly authorities over us, Joseph submits to Potiphar and does it joyfully. Potiphar finds favor with him and allows him to take care of the whole place.  Potiphar’s cunning wife comes along and so Joseph leaves the building to not be distracted – later ending up in jail, as Potiphar’s wife came up with many reasons that weren’t true.  Joseph through his heart attitude of submission finds favor with the authorities because of his love for God – they see his honesty and respect.  They allow him to pretty much run the place.  Next Pharaoh has a dream and Joseph is able to interpret it.  He is set free after 13 years from jail and later becomes the priminister for 43 years!  Through submission to God’s authorities, even though they weren’t perfect, (they are accountable to God), so we need to just obey and submit with our hearts, unless it is sinning against God.  Joseph submitted with a good attitude so God blessed him by having him become the priminister!  This whole time he knew he was supposed to be a leader but he had to go through a process of humbling in order to be fit for the job!  Submission brings testing and trials but through it all God is molding us into who He has made us to be, and the only way to experience His blessing upon our lives!

The story of David is quite amazing, as God sees his heart in how he handles a little – such as herding sheep, God blesses him through this and later he becomes a King! God told Samuel to anoint David as King because Saul wasn’t submissive – he offered a sacrifice without waiting for Samuel and that was disobedience.  Even knowing he is going to become King he faithfully serves Saul; plays his harp and becomes his armor-bearer.  Next David kills Goliath and Saul becomes jealous as the focus of everyone is now on David. Saul ends up getting an army together trying to kill David.  This went on for years, and through it all he still respected Saul’s authority, even the times he could have killed him, he chose not to, even when his friends were telling him to.  David didn’t let outside negative influences run his life, rather his creator, God!  Saul’s heart softened when he realized David’s respect towards him.

The life of Jesus and the others in the Bible like Joseph and David show us that we can live godly lives on earth, as long as Christ is the center!  Submission isn’t being a doormat but rather we are able to use our skills and abilities God has given us, and use them in the most effective way. Only through submission can God work through us and use our strength for His greater purpose and our spirits are filled.  Be open and patient; allow God to direct you in life even when it doesn’t make sense, He never gives us more than we can handle.   We can stand against the schemes of the enemy no matter how much we are tempted.  Jesus was tempted and that isn’t sin, sin happens when we give in to our wrong emotions and thoughts.  We can overcome the strongholds in our lives through the power that Christ gives us!

When I heard of The School of Discipleship, I thought that this would be the last place I would choose.  In my own reasoning it didn’t make sense because I kept more to myself which makes me not used to hanging around people.  I did not like computers, homework, reading, written assignments, and I have health problems.  Literally everything was going to be a challenge, but I was going if God wanted me to. I realized that God spoke though my parents who encouraged me to go.  Seeing it through His perspective I realized that at the School of Discipleship, I am able to get discipled, study scripture, His life, and reach out to the lost people of this world in ways I could never have done if I went anywhere else!  It is amazing how much peace He has given me away from home, as that was a struggle I thought I would not be able to overcome.  My health is actually doing much better, and He is providing in so many ways!  It’s not exactly fun or easy, but my spirit is filled, and I know I am where God wants me to be; He always has the best in mind!

Through being at the School of Discipleship, He has also given me a better understanding about what it means to know more of who I am in Christ.  It is accepting and loving our weaknesses!  If we desire God’s will for our lives, only in our weaknesses will we succeed so much more!  The reason why is because then we are humble, having to rely more on Him, and His will is accomplished.  This way God will be glorified.  The kind person God is looking for is someone with a joyful attitude of submission, and this is how we can be used in a powerful way!  When we honor God He will honor and bless us (1 Samuel 2:30b).