A Song of Submission

Drought-stricken soil grows nothing. The longer the drought, the more the short bursts of rain merely run off the hard soil. What it needs more than anything is life-giving water, but it is too unyielding to receive it. It takes many short, light showers to soften it little by little until life can grow in it again.

Drought stifles fruitfulness in a Christian’s life, too. Quite frankly, we all have a vision of what our life should be. Health, sufficient income, and happiness factors into our perfect life plans. Anything outside of this normal can become grounds for drought.

When life throws a curveball, we have two choices. Bow the knee in submission to God’s plan or harden our heart. Hardening gets angry, frustrated, anxious, and depressed. A hardened heart is a lifeless, drought-stricken field.

Last night I was able to watch the funeral for a man whose life plans were seriously altered. Ron Hamilton lost an eye to cancer, and rather than harden his heart to the struggle, he bowed his knee to whatever God could do with such a circumstance. Out of his submission grew a bountiful harvest of children’s songs and lessons from the beloved Patch the Pirate. Profound, but simple songs are still being sung today testifying to God’s ways and God’s Word. He did not just write songs for children, though. More than 1,000 songs are credited to Ron Hamilton.

Had he hardened his heart, I would not be singing, “Bow the Knee” amidst our family’s unforeseen and unexpected current circumstance.

What a privilege to come into God’s presence
Just to linger with the One who set me free
As I lift my eyes and see His awesome glory
I remember who He is and bow the knee

Chorus

Bow the knee
Bow the knee
He is King of all the ages
Bow the knee
God alone on His throne
See Him high and lifted up
And bow the knee
Kneel before Him
All adore Him
As you live to love Him more
Bow the knee

In His hand He holds the power of creation
With His voice He spoke and all things came to be
Yet He hears each simple prayer I bring before Him
When I humbly seek His face and bow the knee

Written by Ron Hamilton; Cheryl Reid © 2004 by Majesty Music, Inc.

There have been times in my life when I have choked out all fruitfulness by hardening my heart to God’s plans. When we came back from the mission field, it was not part of my life plan. I wept, I fasted, I prayed, and God did not answer the way I wanted. My heart hardened, and depression dogged me for several years. It took a lot of gentle, gracious rains, and a few strong storms to soften the hardening that took place. God is so gracious and faithful to bring the rains. It still took yielding to them, however, to allow the fruit to grow again. Today, God graciously allows our family to serve Him in other ways that we could not have done on a foreign field with a more limited budget.

He reminded me again, this morning, of the crossroads each unexpected circumstance offers. Harden or bow, but only one still brings forth fruit. I am ever thankful for His reminders.

Have a blessed day, my friends!

Erica B.