The only difference between submission and mission is that little prefix, "SUB," meaning "under, beneath, or below."  As parents and families, our submission to God, and our willingness to surrender to what God wants to accomplish "under the surface," directly corresponds to how (and to what extent) we will eventually fulfill His overall purpose for our lives.

In his classic devotional, The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence states, "Trust in God and surrender totally to Him. He will not deceive us. Never tire of doing even the smallest things for Him because He isn't impressed with the dimension of our work as with the love in which it is done."

It may sound more important to dream about boarding an internationally-bound 747, or to imagine doing something benevolent or "big" in some prestigious-sounding foreign city; but right now, that might not be the most strategic decision for God's long-term plan for your family. As Christians, we're all called to participate in God's global and eternal purposes (through our continual giving and praying for world missions); yet God's specific call for your family to "fully obey" and to "completely surrender," at this moment in time, could be far-simpler than your "big" idea, yet possibly more-challenging to follow.

God's mission-for-the-moment could be to get everybody together after dinner to read a chapter in the Bible; or maybe it's to collectively tackle that horrible-looking laundry pile; or perhaps it's for a slightly-stressed mom or dad to put a "pause" on a far-too-busy afternoon, just to snuggle on the couch with a little one and a fun storybook.

Imagine a military submarine advancing silently beneath the ocean's surface. Without sonar or satelite detection, its underwater movement is practically unseen and unheard; yet all the while, this battle-ready vessel is moving toward its future destination and assignment. In the same way, our families can focus on submitting our hearts toward God, and moving steadily and progressively toward His purposes. Even if no one else notices the little things we do, and the little changes in our development and character, God sees. And He knows exactly where we are.

God has not forgotten you, and He will not forget your family, or the dreams He has given you.

SUB-mission to God's purposes involves every area of our family life: the individual development of each family member (spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially), our marriage and our unity as a husband and wife, our callings as moms and dads and sons and daughters, our daily disciplines in home-management, as well as our growth in church ministries and servanthood, and our co-operative "mission" and eternal purposes as a family. As we allow God to refine those secret and hidden places in our hearts, we can trust that He will fulfill all of His promises to us as family, and to each of us as individuals . . . in His timing.

A Prayer for SUB-mission:

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to surrender to the plans that you have for my life today, and the purposes that you have for our family. Forgive me for those times when I've tried to impress others, by having our family "look good" or to be noticed (for my sake). Lord, deep in my heart, I know that glorifying You is all that matters. By your grace, I want to be willing to do anything, and willing to go anywhere; but help me to keep a joyful heart when all you desire is simple obedience in the little things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and your labor of love which you have sown towards His name . . ." (Hebrews 6:10).

Ann Dunagan is a homeschool mother of seven (ages 8 to 22), an author, and an international minister (to 29 nations, with Harvest Ministry), alongside her husband, Jon Dunagan. This article is adapted from Ann's new book, The Mission-Minded Family - Releasing Your Family to God's Destiny (Authentic, 2008).