New Reminders: Yielding

We humans are notorious for wanting to have things our own way.  We often figuratively stomp our feet or throw a tantrum when we have to give up or give in to someone or something contrary to our desires.  We tend to be as stubborn and self-centered as adults, as we were as children, but most of us have learned to conduct ourselves with more decorum.  Some people seem to want to manipulate God to have things their way.  Yielding to God’s will is most Christian’s stated goal, yet when it comes right down to it, we all too often resist.  We defy God and overindulge ourselves from time to time, knowing that God, in His mercy, is a forgiving God and is likely to once again let us get by with our infractions.  This is a dangerous attitude!

Just as when we encounter a “Yield” sign on a highway, it is in our best interest to check oncoming traffic before we glid through the intersection.  If the traffic on the other highway has the right of way, we need to slow or stop to let them pass or we risk getting hit as we enter the roadway.  It is prudent to look twice, before we sail through the intersection.  The same is true in life.  It is prudent to think twice before we act and to resist our own selfish desires for the cheap thrill of taking chances.  A yielding person is someone who is inclined to give in; is submissive and compliant: tending to give way.  He or she is flexible, supple and pliable.  This is not a sign of a weakness, but rather a person strong in faith, who trusts God to know what is best for him or her.

Over and over again, we need to remind ourselves that if we want to seek the will of God, we must follow the teachings of Jesus and surrender everything to God––our wills, our bodies and our entire lives.  We must deny our own selfish desires because we are driven by wanting to satisfy our own wants and needs rather than putting God first.  Greed and pleasure, comfort and pride are all works of the devil.  Yielding to God’s will is our best hope of a fulfilling and fruitful life.  Working for the glory of God instead of our own desires provides the means to a meaningful and productive life.  Through Him, all things are possible.  Praise be to God!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2