Obedience is not a four-letter word. For many of us, however, it has the same connotations as those well-known derogatory ones, and submission is right there with it.

I was quiet and obedient, as a child, with a rebellious heart. I followed the rules but inside I chafed and grumbled. Mostly inside.

As an adult, the words submit and obey made me feel like a cat with its hair on end, and I would hiss and lash out at whoever was closest.

The idea of being submissive to my husband made my teeth grind and the hackles bristle, early in our marriage. Why should I? I was just as intelligent and capable as him. “I am woman, hear me roar.” is what I grew up with ringing in my ears. But it was not working for me, or my marriage. Having two Chief Executive Officers in a company doesn’t work well.

On one occasion, my husband and I went on a white-water rafting trip. There came an opportunity for people to jump in the water, with their life jackets on, and “surf” the rapids. I thought it would be fun! When I asked my sweet husband if he wanted to join me, he declined and told me I shouldn’t either. The fur twitched. Then he said the triggering words.

“I forbid you from doing it!”

The hackles snapped to attention! I silently, defiantly, stared him in the eye as my feet began walking backward toward the jumping point. And in I went.

You may think my husband was being unreasonable and restrictive. He wasn’t. He was concerned for my well-being because he loved me. I am not a strong swimmer. And I underestimated the power of water. I sprang into the liquid washing machine. The firm hands of the current dragged me under raging, foaming water, over and over. The life jacket would pop me up briefly to gasp for air as waves hit my face. Adrenaline raced through my veins as my lungs clamoured for air. In my panic, I started swimming too early, got caught in a whirlpool and had to be rescued.

Our first husband is the LORD, and He asks us to obey and submit to Him. In His great wisdom, He created marriages to be a picture of this relationship with Him. Like my husband, He has our best interests at heart because He loves us. Also, like my husband, He knows our weaknesses. But unlike our closest and dearest, the Lord knows our hearts through and through.

There was a good reason for my husband to tell me no. The Lord has perfect reasons for asking us to obey and submit to Him. Everything He does is for our good. Even when it feels restrictive and unreasonable.

We underestimate the power of sin in our hearts and believe we are strong enough on our own. But like those rapids, sin will drag us under, over and over, leaving us unable to catch our breath. Only the Lord’s power and grace can pull us out.

When we insist on jumping into the cesspool, believing it will bring us happiness and glory, He allows it as He waits close by on the shore.

Jesus extends His hand, but He will not force us to grab hold. Obedience is a choice. Drown or trust Him.

Oh, Sisters, believe me, He is worthy of our trust! When we choose to trust and obey the LORD and His ways, we gain freedom and joy beyond our expectations. It is what we don’t know we long for until we receive it.

Floundering in that whirlpool, I knew I was helpless to get out. The kayaker who came alongside brought hope and freedom from my battle as I listened to his calm instructions. He was my hero of the day.

Jesus is our hero for eternity. Choose today to grab His hand. He asks us to take one step at a time as we follow His loving and wise instructions. Obedience and submission to Him are not four-letter words but words of life, sweet joy, and freedom to be who He made us to be; image bearers of His Son and His daughters.

Be well!

Patricia