SUB-mission to God's little things
"Trust in God and surrender totally to Him. He will not deceive us. Never tire of doing even the smallest things for Him because He isn't impressed with the dimension of our work as with the love in which it is done."
-- Brother Lawrence, from his classic devotional, The Practice of the Presence of God.
SUB-Mission
The only difference between SUBmission and mission is one little prefix, "SUB," which means "under, beneath, or below." As parents and families, our submission to God, and our willingness to surrender to what God wants to accomplish "under the surface," directly corresponds to how (and to what extent) we will eventually fulfill His overall purpose for our lives.
As Christians, we're all called to participate in God's global purposes (through our continual giving and praying for missions); yet God's specific call for your family to fully obey and completely surrender at this moment in time, could be far-simpler than your "big" idea, yet possibly more challenging to follow.
It may sound important to dream about boarding an internationally-bound 747, or to imagine doing something "big" or benevolent in some prestigious-sounding foreign city; but right now, that might not be the most strategic decision for God's long-term plan for your family.
SUB: God sees what's going on under the surface
Imagine a military submarine advancing silently beneath the ocean's surface. Without sonar or satelite detection, its underwater movement is practically unseen and unheard; yet all the while, this battle-ready vessel is moving toward its future destination and assignment. In the same way, our families can focus on submitting our hearts toward God, and moving steadily and progressively toward His purposes. Even if no one else notices the little things we do, and the little changes in our development and character, God sees. And He knows exactly where we are.
God's mission-for-the-moment could be to get everybody together after dinner to read a chapter in the Bible; or maybe it's to collectively tackle that horrible-looking laundry pile; or perhaps it's for a slightly-stressed mom or dad to put a "pause" on a far-too-busy afternoon, just to snuggle on the couch with a little one and a fun storybook.
Amy Carmichael said, "It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates." Know that God has not forgotten you, and He will not forget your family, or the dreams He has given you.
See our mission-minded children's book, The Whole World Needs Jesus
SUB-mission to God's purposes involves every area of our family life: the individual development of each family member (spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially), our marriage and our unity as a husband and wife, our callings as moms and dads, our daily disciplines in home-management, as well as our growth in church ministries and servanthood and our co-operative "mission" and eternal purposes as a family.
As we allow God to refine those secret and hidden places in our hearts, we can trust that He will fulfill all of His promises to us as family, and to each of us as individuals . . . in His timing.
And remember, "Missions is not just for missionaries; God's call is for all."
A Prayer for SUB-mission:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to surrender to the plans that you have for my life today, and the purposes that you have for our family. Forgive me for those times when I've tried to impress others, by having our family "look good" or to be noticed (for my sake). Lord, deep in my heart, I know that glorifying You is all that matters. By your grace, I want to be willing to do anything, and willing to go anywhere; but help me to keep a joyful heart when all you desire is simple obedience in the little things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"For God is not unjust to forget your work and your labor of love which you have sown towards His name . . ." (Hebrews 6:10).