Firefighters who have done the heroic; soldiers that have developed unbelievable camaraderie in the face of death; Superbowl champions and World Series champions; orchestra musicians who are both skilled AND employed; astronauts. If this were a game of Jeopardy and these were the answers the question would be, “Who are those who have learned to live under or submit to authority?” Or another possible question could be, “Who are admirable people we would all like to be?” One cannot achieve any of these feats of greatness without being willingly dependent upon others who are over them. They have all learned to be dependent upon and in submission to orders.
And yet. Yes, and yet . . . though these are admirable people achieving admirable accomplishments, very few in our culture are willing to submit to the authority of others. Submission is a dirty word. It conjures up memories of pre-abolition days; women’s suffrage or oppressive governance. Submission is a trait that is regarded with some disdain. The reasons too often given are the unworthiness of the leader, suspicion of the organization’s goals to be achieved or the less masked and more blatantly self centered answer to submission- “it cramps my freedom.”
Lets face it. We were hard-wired to be under authority. We were never intended to be God, aspire to God-hood (a core problem with Mormon’s historic theology), or live as those to be merely served. The Bible gives example after example of people who carried that out to a fault (as we might call it). David with Saul, Daniel with multiple kings, Mordecai with the king over an expanded empire, Ruth with Naomi and, of course, Jesus with the Father. One might say that they blindly submitted themselves to another. Some had benevolence in their hearts. Others had malevolence in their hearts. Some were, in fact, corrupt to the core. But, each one of those who lived in submission or under authority to the others, like the examples given in the first paragraph, are admirable people- admired by people and blessed and applauded by God. In fact, it doesn’t take much searching to see their submission as a clearly stated reason for their success or praiseworthiness.
But, again, though these are universally loved by those who love the Scriptures, this core reason for their success is often not identified or embraced by those who hold them in high esteem. For some reason, it was David’s isolated faith, Mordecai’s courage, Daniels uncompromising religious commitment and vaunted ethics, Ruth’s deep love for her mentor, Jesus’ love for the world. We would prefer to see these as their highest virtue as though each great person has some unique character of greatness that makes them stand out. The reason might be that many do not see the connection between them and their willingness in fact eagerness to live under authority with a submitted will. Or, it may be that we live in an era where a primary and uncontested belief exists. That belief is that “self-realization or self-actualization are the highest expressions of mature adults.” Or, put another way, “The greatness we all hope to achieve can be best done alone or without being hampered by the suppression of others.” Rather than a greater achievement, these seem to create greater impediment to greatness.
Yet again, the scripture puts the emphasis so heavily upon submission that by the time Paul comes on the scene he throws a bigger blanket out and says, “Submit yourselves to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). It is a nice way to say that we know that submission to Christ is admirable. After all, he is God. But, we are actually to conduct that kind of submission to the whole lot of those around us in the body of Christ.
Many suspect that the outcome of this kind of blanket submission would be to lose ones self-esteem or personal value in doing so. Or, if we live under authority, we no longer can be self-determining. We fear that oppression on the level of the slaves or suppression of women throughout our national history will most certainly be the outcome should we live under authority- most certainly human authority. But, look again at those Bible characters mentioned above. They all learned submission to the Lord and to others. These are not competing virtue and vice. They are complimentary virtues.
Instead, some fear that they will be taken advantage of. That cannot be tolerated. So, we labor under the false notion that we can shape our lives in the fashion we desire without living in close connection and actually under authority. The contrary end result is almost never admirable. It usually ends in self-absorption.
Whether it is in marriage, marketplace, ministry or mutual relationship- being under authority and living in submission bears far more desirable results than tragic ones. It is worth the risk. Live under God’s authority. Live in submission to people who are put in places of leadership for your good. I do that. I have never regretted it. Even if they fail in their oversight, I have found that I have gained more than I lost. The world needs to see this. It is cramped over so far, that it can only look inward. Help a world out by your example of living under authority.