Christian Article Bank

THE ULTIMATE SUBMISSION

by
Josprel

Based on a true incident in the author's ministry.

***** *****

Chris had a temper! His mother claimed it came from her father, but Chris didn't like it; it caused problems! It flared when he thought he was wronged. When that happened - look out - he lost it!

Last softball season he was on the school team, a star player. The second game, he whacked a triple. It was close! Chris slid toward third base, fingers reaching toward the pad, touching it before he was tagged! But the umpire called him out anyway. Boy, did Chris loose it; the worst times in his sixteen years!

Calling the umpire a blind old bat was bad, but two players had to hold him off the man! Thrown from the team, he almost was expelled from school; only his "First Honors" scholastic standing saved him.

Chris’ temper impacted everyone. He was always told to control it. That was easy for others to say, but he lived with it.

Worse was his relationship to Jeanne. Her families had moved to town last year, and were faithful Christians. Jeanne had dated him regularly, but the incident with the umpire changed that. Her comment to Chris had been, "We can talk, but no dates until your temper is submitted to the Lord!"

Although absolutely devastated, Chris understood; even he didn't like himself after he blew up. The student counselor had told him, “Chris, you make people feel they must walk on eggs when they’re around you. Something in your background must have caused the problem. Perhaps you should consult with a psychoanalyst.”

“No, thank. My parents are great people. There’s nothing in my background that make me loose my temper, except my grandfather's genes. He always lost his temper, too. My brother and sister don’t blow up like I do, and their upbringing is like mine. So that proves I just inherited my grandfather’s temper and they didn’t.”

Appearing surprised and somewhat amused, the counselor dismissed him.

***** *****

Softball season was beginning again. Aware that he would soon be playing, again, Chris was worried. A repeat of last season was unthinkable. He had to talk to somebody he could trust about his temper. That Friday night, after attending youth meeting, Jeanne suggested, “Chris, you should speak with Jim, our youth pastor. He's helped other kids with their problems."

"Naw. He said he wants to have a talk with me before he lets me join the church softball team."

"Are you going to have a talk with him?"

"Nope; because I know what he wants to talk about. He thinks I'll cause problems."

"Well, can you blame him?” Jeanne scolded, “Our church's team plays teams from other churches. What would they think if they saw you yelling and fighting? Jim has to think of that, you know."

Chris glumbly studied the ground. "I don't blame him, Jeanne. If I were him, I wouldn't let me play either."

Jeanne’s demeanor softened. “Then talk to him."

"I don't know what to say to the guy."

"Talk with him, anyway, knucklehead!"

Chris stared at her. Finally, in a resolute voice, he declared, "OK, let's go make an appointment with him."

Jeanne's face brightened with a wide smile. "Great!" she exclaimed, "Let's go!"

***** *****

Jim already was waiting at Burger Shack when Chris arrived. After saying grace over the meal, small talk was their topic. Then Jim asked: "How may I help you Chris?"

Chris remained silent. He found it difficult to speak of his temper. Jim waited.

"Well, ahh..., ahh..., it's my temper!" he blurted.

"What about it?"

"Sometimes I really loose it; like last year. I was kicked off the team and almost expelled from school."

"I remember."

"Yes, I was at the game when you went at it with the umpire."

Chris reddened with embarrassment. "See? That's what I mean. I can't control myself. The coach is already on me. He afraid I'll blow it again."

"What can you do about it?" Jim asked.

"Jeanne told me to submit my temper to the Lord."

"Have you?"

"I've prayed about it."

"Did you submit it to Him when you prayed?"

"Well, I try to control it."

"But is it submitted to the Lord?"

Feeling trapped, Chris became agitated. Anger tinged his tone, when he responded, "Jim, I told you I try to control it!"

"Does that work?"

Chris looked sheepish; he knew it didn't.

"No answer, Chris?"

Steeped in thought, Chris nibbled at his burger. Suddenly, in a bolt of realization, he exclaimed, "You know, Jim? I've been fighting this all alone, haven't I?"

"What makes you say that, Chris?"

"Well, I never really gave my temper to Jesus; I thought I had to deal with it."

"And now?"

"I'll submit my temper to the lord. Will you pray with me?"

"Sure will, Chris."

The two met several times, after that. One session really impressed Chris - when Jim told of the alcoholic who accepted Christ, but couldn't kick his drinking habit. Returning from work required his passing the bar he frequented each payday.

After his salvation, he tried walking past. Failing, he entered and got drunk. Afterward, he was shattered. Wasn't salvation suppose to deliver him? The next Friday was a repeat performance. Only, this time, walking past the bar, praying as he want. His endeavor failed.

After a third failure, the man knew drastic action was required. He must prove to himself he meant business with God.

The following Friday, approaching the bar, he dropped to his knees. Clasping his hands, he lifted his eyes heavenward, and crawled on his knees, he prayed his way past the bar - and he went home sober.

The next Friday, his former drinking buddies were outside, waiting for him. Now, came the real battle. His pride, or his Lord?

To the sound of their jeers, he again went to his knees and repeated his resolve. Never again did he touched another drop of liquor.

"You see, Chris?" Jim concluded, "That man gave the the Lord his ultimate submission. He refused to let pride defeat his commitment to God. Loss of temper is rooted in pride; our feeling are hurt, so we retaliate."

"I know what you're saying, Jim. But I don't think I could ever go public like that guy did."

***** *****

The school team was doing great, playing its final game before the play-offs. Chris was controlling himself; his sessions with Jim had helped. Jeanne was dating him again. For Chris, everything was fabulous.

The opposing team was good, the game close and fast moving. By second inning Chris at bat. Winding up, the pitcher burned in a sizzler.

Swing went the bat!

Whack! Into the catcher's glove went the ball.

"Strike!" bellowed the home plate umpire.

The second pitch went wide. "Ball!"

The bat connected the third pitch! The ball arched high, if not caught, a sure triple, and a possible homer.

It wasn't caught, but as Chris rounded toward third, the outfielder scooped it, sending it to third. In almost a rerun of last season, Chris went to ground, and slid in, touching the base.

It was close. Chris was tagged, but even the opposing team's baseman thought he was safe; he just tossed the ball to the pitcher.

Chris prepared to take base when, to his consternation, he heard, "Yer OUT!

Turning toward the voice, to his chagrin, Chris recognized the infield umpire; the one he had called a "blind old bat" Also recognizing Chris, the man appeared shocked and he backed away, his thumb motioning the Chris to vacate the base.

Seeing Chris' face flush red, the baseman also backed off. Chris' explosions were legends; he wanted no part of this one.

"Yer out!" the umpire repeated. Fists clenched, Chris's rage mounted. "This umpire has it in for me," he told himself.

Then, deep within him flashed the words "The "ultimate submission" - words he knew were intended for now. The spectators, especially the infield umpire, were stunned as Chris sank slowly to his knees, hands clasped in prayer, eyes lifted toward heaven. A hush descended over the field as he prayed, continuing long after he rose.

Nervously, the umpire again stepped back as Chris extended his him. Gripping the umpire's hand, Chris shook it.

"OK. ump, You said I'm out, so I'll go."

In dumfounded perplexity, the umpire, the baseman and the other players stared as Chris walked toward the benches.

Chris was at peace, his temper subjected to God through an
ULTIMATE SUBMISSION!

-30-

josprel@verizon.net
© Josprel (Joseph Perrello)

About the Author:

Josprel is an ordained minister who resides in Western New York - just across the Niagara River from Canada. Though brought up in a Christian family, he rebelled against the Lord at an early age, finally enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served three years in Air Force, two and one half of them in the Far East, as an operating engineer. Josprel was among the first Air Force troops to enter Japan, after World War Two. Upon returning home, he accepted Christ as his Savior and studied for the ministry. He pastored some ten yeas in the town of Attica, New York, the setting of "The Ultimate Submission." He is authoring two novels: "Beloved Apostate" and "Kanfal."