By Paula Williamson, guest writer The word submission causes most women to bristle. Misconceptions about wives submitting to their husbands conjure images of men as superior and of women wearing a muzzle over their mouths, forced to keep their opinions to themselves because only his matters. In Scripture, the word for submitting comes from a Greek word meaning to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Paul emphasizes that the role is not about dominance but about a relationship through the lens of Christ’s sacrificial, dying love for the church. It is mutually respectful, not about dominance, as if either the male or the female opinion were the only one that mattered. It Is Written EPHESIANS 5:22-23 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 1 CORINTHIANS 13: 4 -5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Mutual Love and Respect We should commit to living with mutually honorable behavior. This is not only a commitment to others but also to ourselves. God does not value one sex over another. In Christ, there is no male or female, Jew or Greek, slave or free. The ground is level, and we are not to control or be controlled by dehumanizing, degrading, or humiliating behavior. Those who engage in such behavior are not practicing Christ’s sacrificial love. Prayer Lord, it is easy to misunderstand some things written in the Scripture. When the Pharisees asked You what the greatest commandment was, Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. MATTHEW 22:37-40 As we submit to one another as unto You, help us to do all things through the lens of love. Takeaway We submit to Christ because of His love for us.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer Depending on where you get your knowledge, the lines can get blurry. Those of us who are uncomfortable with an imperfect world can easily find ourselves under a mountain of false burdens and responsibilities. Here is a lens of clarity. We should not be doing what others can and should do for themselves. It Is Written GALATIANS 6:2, 5 Bear one another's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ". 5 For each one should carry their own load. Clarity Are there times when others need help? Absolutely! We have all been there, and we will be many times in life. We should express empathy. We should be sorry for their hardship and understand that it will be hard for them to overcome it. We should pray for them and encourage them, but not enable them to remain victims in need of rescuing. We should do what the Lord leads us to do. We can walk alongside them, connect them with healthy resources, and empower them to do what they should be doing for themselves. Prayer Lord, help us maintain healthy boundaries between ourselves and others' problems. Help us remember that the world is imperfect, full of imperfect people, including us. Help us empower others to find the courage to walk on their own. Help us extend mercy and compassion measured by You, and give others the wings to fly. Takeaway Don't do what others can and should do for themselves.

By Paula Williamson, guest writer The human paradigm is an endless staircase and a hamster wheel. The worldview pushes us to achieve and accomplish. I once held thirteen jobs in a church. That’s crazy! The truth is, people who don't know how to say “no” get used and taken advantage of. When we view the Bible as an endless set of rules to follow rather than the Holy Spirit’s leading, life becomes hard and often fruitless. It Is Written MATTHEW 11:30 “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Rest Even Jesus did not heal everyone at the Pool of Bethesda. He did only what the Father told Him. He also withdrew to be alone with His Father. Laying down one’s life for others means being willing to encourage, sharpen, and pray with others, but not to make them dependent on us. There is one Savior. His name is Jesus. We are not Him. Prayer Lord, give us wisdom and discernment to follow Your still, small voice within and the nudging and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Help us be obedient when we feel a restraint or a check in our Spirits before we say yes to every request. Help us follow You. Takeaway Following the Holy Spirit means stepping off the hamster wheel and following one voice.