Previously, Deacon Jen wrote about the biblical definition of and framework for submission in her blog post, “ Submission Is Not a Dirty Word .” Here, she fleshes out what that word means on a practical, day-to-day level for women pursuing Jesus.

Submission. Now, throw a hyphen in there: Sub-mission.

This small change allows us to see the implications of a submitted heart on every aspect of our daily lives.

Are you a woman on a mission? Most often, that phrase is attached to a determined female who is on the hunt for a man, a promotion, a bargain, or a latte. The thrill of winning an auction on eBay often gives us more delight than the God of the universe. We throw ourselves at small, anemic missions, settling for a fleeting moment of accomplishment and satisfaction. I want us to lift our eyes to glimpse a bigger mission.

This Is God’s Mission

“‘Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’” John 12:28

God’s mission is to reveal and glorify himself. While our finite brains cannot fathom the complexity of him carrying out his mission nestled in the truth that his mission is already complete, we know that he accomplished his mission through Christ, that he accomplishes his mission through his children, and that he will accomplish his mission when Christ comes again.

Because of his grace alone, he rescues us from ourselves. He calls those that he has rescued to live out our mission: Make disciples and share the good news of our freedom with those that are enslaved. It is an impossible mission, an insurmountable task on our own, but he invites us in on it even though he does not need us to make it happen.

Accept the Invitation

God has, for you, a sub-mission. A unique Holy Spirit-enabled calling for your life fueled by your passion and gifts, and at times, blocked by your sin. While every one of us is called to the overarching mission of making disciples, no two of us are called to the same exact sub-mission.

Out of fear and pride, we often refuse the sub-mission he offers us, opting to believe that he must have the wrong person. The mission we laid out for ourselves is much more glamorous, simple, or rewarding—certainly not so painful and insignificant as what he’s called us to.

The fundamental struggle with submission is revealed when we chafe at our sub-mission. We want to tell God how our lives will go. We want to determine when we get married, where we will live, how much money we will make. We want to be god.

We will not embrace the sub-mission God has called us to until we, with humility and gratitude, repent of our desire to control and embrace our dependent and submissive place before God. We must take him at his word: He is good (Psalm 52:9), he will provide (Matthew 6:25–34), he will not forsake (Hebrews 13:5); he has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

3 Questions to Discern Your Sub-Mission

Your sub-mission is found through prayerful soul searching, diligent study of Scripture and deep heart-probing conversation with other believers in community. In these contexts, God will illuminate for you the unique aspects of your sub-mission.

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

1. What roles does God have you in at this time?

As a Christian woman, our first call on mission is to be a daughter. To mature and grow in our faith as we follow God our Father is the fundamental reason that we live and breathe.

Layered on top of that fundamental identity, rank your other roles—be it student, wife, mom, employee—in order of importance in your life. If you are not sure what the priorities should be, ask God and godly brothers and sisters around you for input.

2. What regions does God have you in at this time?

Determine where God has placed you and believe that it is for a reason. Commit to your home, neighborhood, workplace, grocery store, church as the places where you will execute your sub-mission. You play a unique role in shining light in those places. There is not another woman on the planet who will walk in your shoes today through your region.

3. What is God revealing to you about himself and yourself at this time?

Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to see what he is accomplishing around you and in you.

Act on those truths he is showing you as you live your sub-mission.

Is he showing you he is faithful? Go knock on the neighbor’s door that you have been meaning to meet and greet her.

As you spend time with God asking him to clarify your sub-mission, he delights in saying to you, “This is the way, walk in it.” Those words will not come in some vague form of sky writing, but they will come in the form of trembling trust and quiet confidence as you listen to your Father and trusted counselors along the way.

Submission Is Not Passive

Submission is anything but passive. Living out your sub-mission requires a strong woman who is willing to engage her sinful heart and her crafty enemy. We must declare them both to be under the submission of our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer.

Submission is the beautiful heart response of a woman who knows her Savior.

The joy and gratitude it produces cannot be contained—it spills over into our relationships. It defines and determines our sub-mission as we look to our God for our every move.

God’s mission is glorious. His mission is about him and for him. That he would graciously invite us to follow him on it is beyond comprehension. My hope and prayer that we, as women, can glorify God as we live out the sub-mission he’s given us to the world. There is no greater privilege or joy.

Jen Smidt is a deacon at
Mars Hill Church Ballard and a frequent contributor to both
the Resurgence and the Mars Hill Blog
.