The view from the back seat

In my life, I’ve been in charge in a lot of things.  Currently, I’m the boss of three young little ones, and that’s a tall order.  I’ve led week-long class trips for 4^th graders; I’ve coordinated district events at my school when I was a teacher.  I’ve organized and pulled off church-wide events, coordinated weddings, and taught classes.

I’ve come to realize, now, that I enjoy it (immensely) when I don’t have to be in charge of something.  I can just come and participate.  Someone else will come early, unlock and clean up the messes, manage the chaos of the event (whatever it may be), and then stay long afterward to clean it all up and lock up.  I appreciate all that’s involved in leadership, so I appreciate it even more when I get to take a back seat.

I was thinking today as I read Neil’s entry about submission that maybe it’s the same thing.  I’ve never been very good at calling the shots in my own life; it’s a relief to be able to depend on someone else.  And I call myself a control freak! 

If I can get over myself, stay focused on who I am because of what Christ did for me, and live in contentment, submission is not a stretch at all.  It’s the natural outflow of my life as I have things in order. 

Now, if I could just remember that long-term…