LEADING THE WAY

with Dr. Michael Youssef

Always Holding Somebody Up



Our society has slyly attached negative connotations to the word submission. Instead of finding joy in serving others, our minds often run to thoughts of service under a ruthless taskmaster.

However, when the apostle Paul wrote about wives submitting to their spouses, he was giving an edict of love and not a directive for one to control the other. In fact, he was issuing an invitation for husbands and wives to pursue godliness in lifting up one another. This principle applies to all of us.

Dawson Trotman, founder of the world-wide discipleship ministry called The Navigators, was a man who truly modeled his life after the Lord Jesus Christ. He died in Schroonlake, New York, of, all things, drowning—for Trotman was an experienced swimmer.

A speedboat accident left two women in serious trouble. During Trotman’s last few moments in the water, he saved both of them. He lifted the first one out and then swam toward the other one, grabbed her, and lifted her up before he submerged and drowned. The next week, TIME Magazine ran an article on Trotman’s life. The caption that ran beneath his name read, “Always holding somebody up.” In one phrase, that was Trotman’s life—holding people up.

Perhaps this is what the apostle Paul was writing about when he instructed husbands and wives to love one another and be willing to sacrifice for each other. Men must park their egos and women must serve with humility. Submission can be a difficult task but with God’s direction, you will reach your goal.

Prayer: Lord, help me uphold those around me in this day.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men…to the king, as the supreme authority.
(1 Peter 2:13)

http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/leading-the-way/leading-the-way-week-of-feb-25-11567892.html