I Learned to Submit...

...because God gives the command.     

     On July 5th, I sat and enjoyed a wonderful Independence Day firework celebration with my family.  As the fireworks exploded, my thoughts went back to a class that Sam Brock led at church.  It was a lesson I desperately needed, and even more so, the world I think needs.  We studied SUBMISSION....

     Wow, what a loaded word.  So many people in today's world assign a very negative connotation to the word, but that is not how it was meant.  The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as "the act of accepting the power or authority of someone else."  Several synonyms of it are humility, humbleness, compliance, obedience.  These are not traits we should look at as negative.   

     The truth is, we all have people that are in authority to us, people we need to be obedient too, and to show humility towards.  Whether it be a boss at work, a police officer when they pull us over, or the government of a state or our great nation.  Learning to be in submission to them is something that I believe we all need to work on.  Sam made sure to state in each week's class that submission ISN'T "blindly following down a path of wickedness." It IS "working as one for the good of the cause."  I need to get so much better at submission, so this blog is more about my continuing study, and sharing some of what I have found.

1.     Jesus himself demonstrated submission while in the garden.  Even though it wasn't what  he wanted to have happen, he did it, because of GOD's authority over him.

Luke 22:42

"Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."

2.     James implored us to submit to GOD. 

James 4:7

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

3.     Peter reminded us to submit to human authorities such as emperors and governers.

1 Peter 2:13-14

"Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good."

4.     Paul reminded the Romans that they were to submit to the rulers because GOD has put them in place.

Romans 13:1-7

"Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks.  Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor."

     I get that we don't always agree with the way things are happening, but that doesn't change how we should act.  I didn't personally like Obama, but I never went out and disobeyed the laws.  I respected the office and tried to submit.  I personally don't like Trump.  But I will continue to respect the office and try to submit.  I do like my boss at Fort Osage.  It makes my life of submission much easier, I will admit!  My goal is that I will do what GOD has called me to do, to help those I can help and be the best that I can be.  I need to remember that GOD will put into authority who he wants (though I don't often understand why).  Lastly, as a teacher and coach, I am in authority over my students.  If I expect them to be submissive to me, I MUST demonstrate that I do the same for those who have authority over me.

     I hope you've made it this far.  My faith is a big part of my life and I've been keeping it from my blog for most of this first year.  I can't do that any more.  I know that not everyone will believe the same as me, and I hope you can still come and view the work I do, and be encouraged by it.  Here are several of the images from the firework show that I captured.

This was the first shot of the night... I tried to get the full bridge and the fireworks in the frame at the same time, but I just wasn't far enough away. I had to adjust and most of the rest of the night I only captured fireworks.

This was the first shot of the night... I tried to get the full bridge and the fireworks in the frame at the same time, but I just wasn't far enough away. I had to adjust and most of the rest of the night I only captured fireworks.

Once I got the camera adjusted to capture the fireworks, I dialed in the settings and let the camera do the work. I used 6 second exposures, with ISO 100 and f/18 aperture. The timer started a new exposure every 7 seconds, so there was a 1 second de…

Once I got the camera adjusted to capture the fireworks, I dialed in the settings and let the camera do the work. I used 6 second exposures, with ISO 100 and f/18 aperture. The timer started a new exposure every 7 seconds, so there was a 1 second delay between photos. Then, I sat back and watched the show as images were captured!

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After the initial barrage, the explosions slowed and I captured just one or two explosions per image. I love how the long exposure made light trails in the night sky.

After the initial barrage, the explosions slowed and I captured just one or two explosions per image. I love how the long exposure made light trails in the night sky.

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This is a Photoshop composite of several of the explosions. I used a bridge image from earlier in the night for the background and then overlaid twelve shots on top of it. I can't wait to print this one off and display it!

This is a Photoshop composite of several of the explosions. I used a bridge image from earlier in the night for the background and then overlaid twelve shots on top of it. I can't wait to print this one off and display it!

Song: Authority by 116 Clique