The Wisdom of Yielding

Sometimes, I feel as if I can conquer the world, as if nothing can stop me from doing what I want or what other want me to.  Other times, not so much.  This week has been interesting as I have come to the realization that truthfully, I can’t do much on my own.  I am dependent on many things and many people and this is challenging for Little Miss Independent here to accept.  Throughout this week, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that there is wisdom in yielding, in yielding to the idea that I am simply not enough. 

Let me explain a bit so you can get a clearer picture of what I mean by yielding.  Yielding is, for example, when you come to know your place and role in different situations and where your gifts and talents (and weaknesses) are best placed.  This means yielding to others who are “better” than you in certain areas, in giving up the spotlight and center stage to those who are better equipped.

Yielding also means coming to the understanding and realization that we can’t fix everything, not in this broken world.  As it is said, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.  We can do and do and do but only God can transform minds and hearts.  We need to confess not only to God but to ourselves that we are weak and incomplete, that we need Him and His strength to carry out our work.  We need to yield and accept that we have limits and that it’s in fact ok to admit their existence instead of putting on a brave face and pretending they’re not there.

Yielding also means that you understand that your way of practice, of belief or of action is not the only way in this world.  God created this world to be a diverse and beautiful reflection of his divinity and he saw that it was good.  We must not try to mold the world to one lifestyle, to one way of thinking.  We must yield to diversity.

This past week, I came across several Bible verses that shine a light on God’s strength and how he sustains us, not the other way around. 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2: 8-10.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

“As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You make your saving help my shield,
    and your right hand sustains me;
    your help has made me great.
³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.”

                                          Psalm 18: 30-36

I pray that these words may be an inspiration and a blessing to all of you during this next week and in the weeks to come.  Thank you for all of your prayers of support and encouragement as I continue adjusting to a new life here.  On a side note, Happy Birthday Evan!  Anyway, I’m sure this next week will hold many more lessons for me.  Stay tuned!