"No, you're not allowed to go", my mom said.

"But Mom!" I responded.

The speed limit is 55mph, but that's only a suggestion right? I have a better way of doing it buy my boss won't let me. We all have these moments. We all have this struggle.

No one likes to submit. It's not part of our self-focused nature to do things for others and to respect their authority whether we like it or not. But that is exactly what God commands us to do. You and I must submit and respect authority.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." (Rom. 13:1) Paul takes it further in the book of Ephesians and he makes it more specific. God commands wives to submit to husbands, children to obey their parents, and slaves to submit to their masters. Let's pull out the one that probably hits home for you.

Obey and respect your parents. It can be hard to do when you don't like their choices or decisions. It's hard if they have wronged you or hurt you in some way. But, obeying and submitting to your parents is not an option it's God's will for your life. Obedience and submission to God and your parents is the foundation for your spiritual effectiveness and potential.

There is a pattern we often overlook which is: when we consistently chose not to submit or obey we grow in our dislike and disrespect for authority. When we obey and submit even when we don't like it we grow in respect and dependence on God's faithfulness.

God understands the imperfection of human authority. He knows the difficulties we will face, but his goodness and sovereignty is ever present. When we focus on the big picture of how God planned the President, your Pastor, and your parents to be in authority over you we see who we are really obeying. Obeying your parents is submitting to God, it is trusting his will and faithfulness in each situation. You obey, God will take care of the rest.

Focus on your submission and obedience of God in your life and it will give you the strength and love to obey and submit to the authority in your life with joy, even your parents.

- Josh