One more thought on Submission...

It happens quite often at our house. I come into the kitchen around 6 pm and Erica is making an incredible dinner I grab her and give her a hug... and then it happens.

Out of nowhere comes the sound of "size 3" feet slapping against the saltillo tile, then little padded hands sliding into the space between us, as we look down we see the smushed cherub cheek of 5 year old Hope Caroline making her way into the "love sandwich".

All of our kids have done this... It's almost like we send out a beacon signal... "THE BIG PEOPLE ARE HUGGING IN THE KITCHEN" and they come a runnin'! Why? they don't want to miss out on the deal. They don't want to be on the outside of the love... they want to be in the middle of the action.

I'm like that too... I don't want to miss the reality of God's love. As I read the Gospels I see this incredible submitted relationship of Jesus and the Father. John is the only gospel writer who records the other words of Jesus while he prayed in the garden. Chapter 17 records his prayer for himself, for his disciples, and for all believers. The focus of his prayers for believers is that they would be one. "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one..."

Jesus in complete submission to God (especially in this moment when He asks if there is any way that the "cup" would pass from him) is asking for you and I to get in on the action. That we would be one just like he was with the Father. HOW? Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

What a powerful "beacon" we can send out to the world around us...

THE JESUS PEOPLE ARE LOVING EACH OTHER AT THE CHURCH...

Jesus said when we do this, people would know that Jesus is the Son of God

and that God really loves them.

"May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know

that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:23

Fun stuff.

VAN