Submitted Unto Perfection is a collection of writings penned over a number of years. The title was given to me by the Lord over thirty years ago. Before writing it I had to live it. This short book reflects some of my life lived submitted unto Him. I hope it stirs the hearts of those who love God, to draw to Him, in fuller trust and devotion. Jo Gwost is the wife of one, the mother of six, and the grandmother of twelve. Though this is her first attempt at writing a book, she has been journaling for most of her married life. She learned about Jesus as a little girl and grew steadily towards accepting him as Savior and Lord. She lives with her husband, Jim, in St. Cloud Minnesota. Submitted Unto Perfection Reflections for the Bride of Christ By Jo Gwost Thomas Nelson Copyright © 2018 Jo Gwost All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-59555-901-2 Contents Preface, vii, Portrait, 1, Still Me, 3, Imprint, 4, Firm Choice Shaky Start, 5, Stirred, 6, My Hopelessness His Power, 9, Tend with Patience, 10, Enlisted, 11, What Now, 12, His Name, 13, All for Him, 14, First Clue, 15, Grow, 16, Deep Within, 17, A "Like You" Life, 18, Beside Within, 19, Gentled, 20, Convinced, 22, The Cross, 23, Little Cross, 25, What Joy, 26, Sparrows, 28, Fullness, 31, Stir It Up, 33, Upright and Firm, 34, Chosen, 35, Birthright Sold, 36, Grafted, 38, New Year's Solutions, 40, Moderation, 41, Locked Out, 42, Darkest Night, 44, He Would Have, 46, A Love So Grand, 48, Upturned Pots, 50, Battle Rages, 52, Pointing to Jesus, 57, Still Scuffed, 59, The Pruning Shed, 60, Weary Bones, 63, Deep Calls to Deep, 66, Downspouts, 67, 'Rose from Bier, 68, Built Upon the Rock, 69, Trust Him, 70, Embraced, 71, Stand Still, 73, Battle-Worn, 75, Until the Day Breaks, 77, Fear Not, 78, Seek the Best, 81, Through, 83, I Am a Dead Man, 85, A Moment with You, 87, Old Skin, 88, Relationships, 89, Just Because, 90, Hope Splattered, 91, Stopped to Release, 93, Child's Bad Day, 94, Coal with a Glow, 95, Restored to Faith, 96, Mercy in the Flames, 98, Perfection My Target, 99, You Are, 102, He Cares, 103, He Delivers, 104, Prayer Army, 105, I Am a Stump, 106, Life's Momentum, 107, Achoo!, 111, Ever Nearer, 112, His Tender Listening Ear, 113, Beloved, 115, Engraved on the Statue of Liberty, 116, Empty with a Purpose, 117, Drawn Out, 118, Bumble Bee, 119, He Is My Righteousness, 120, Clamor, 122, The White Horse, 123, They Roared in Vain, 124, Purple, 125, Just Believe, 126, He Longs to Love, 129, Grace Bends the Back, 130, Dressed Only in Scars, 132, Room for Distraction, 133, Urgency, 134, Sweet Surrender, 135, Draw Me, 136, Heaven Knows, 137, Love, 138, A Little Thing to Do, 139, To My Beloved A Love Poem, 140, My Schedule His Own, 142, Pillars of Light, 144, My Weakness His Opportunity, 146, Tender Cracking, 149, Holy Dread, 150, Royalty - The God Kind, 152, Dying Is Not Loss, 154, Let Nothing Terrify, 156, Pierced Though, 157, Wallpaper, 158, Ancient Song Forever New, 160, About The Author, 163, Acknowledgments, 165, Illustrator Bio, 167, CHAPTER 1 Portrait Eternal Ancient of Days Abounding with Youth God Justice Filled with Mercy Washed in Love Eyes A mouth that drips Honey Nourishing and Meat Fragrance that permeates the Flesh Righting the Soul White and Ruddy Overlaid with Beauty Exquisite Within Abounding with Mercy Fitly King Altogether Lovely My beloved is white and ruddy, Chief among ten thousand. His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy, and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. His hands are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires. His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem! – Song of Solomon 5:10–16 Still Me There's not so much that needs be done Just help me worship the Holy One Into Your arms Father I would flee In Your mercy come to me Still my heart its quaking quest Bid me come as Thy dear guest Ever only eyes for Thee 'Til in transport I would be At Your feet I humbly bow Help me, Lord! Oh! Help me now! God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. – Psalm 46:5 Imprint Oh Lord! What's wrong with me? You are as I have made thee. No mistake No retake Just fine You're mine. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. – Genesis 1:27 Firm Choice Shaky Start Lord, I choose Your way this day in all things. The choice is m