be filled with the Spirit... giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph. 5.18b, 20-21)

At no time in history has submission of one's will been easy. No matter whether the culture was hyper-individualistic or deeply communal, there is a strain against pure conformity. The individual, and even the collective society, will rebel against obedience and fight against submission. When men and women, even children, have tasted the bittersweet wine of human stubbornness we become intoxicated with our own selfish wants and desires. We care less about greeting one another in love and more concerned about our personal wellbeing and intense gratification.

Into the self-centered debauchery of our own souls, Jesus speaks to us. He calls to us. He beckons us to detox from our arrogant drunkenness and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Led by the Spirit of Jesus we become sober to the world around us and to the fellowship of believers who stand at our shoulders with whom we share life. We address one another with the light and life of Christ and have purpose and love born into our once corrupted souls. Where we only had egotistical twisted wants and manipulated desires we now have a heart filled with Christ-centered thanks and praise. We see our brothers and sisters with the thankfulness of an orphan brought into a loving family.

We no longer stumble through life blithely placing our depraved passions and foolishness on an idolatrous pedestal but we see Jesus, the reverence of the redeemed. We obediently lift up one another, submitting to one another in reverent worship to God. We submitted readily and willingly to Jesus, who is our life, our love, our Lord.

Jesus, you are the reverence of my soul, the one who gently leads my soul before the Father, who guides me in righteousness and joy! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to bring me out of my blindness.