Yield

 

Photo by Piotrus 2008

I have always been the type of person who likes to plan ahead, anticipating every contingency, trying to do things in the best order and timing for the optimal result, no matter what the storms of life may bring. Organizing the smallest details, even if it's just cleaning out the junk drawer, helps to give me an illusion of control.

But metaphorically speaking, there are some storms that take us by surprise like a sucker punch in broad daylight, when we’re off guard because the street is well-lit, the weather is sunny and calm, and we’re in a familiar neighborhood in our hometown. How could we know that an assailant would be waiting behind a building to knock the very wind out of us, to change our world in an instant?

As we struggle to our feet and try to shake ourselves off, that old instinct to take control resurfaces. All will be well if we utilize our intellect, resources and strength to make sense of this attack and to plan the best strategy to recover from it,

But as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8), who have been saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we must resist this urge to take control. We must let go and let God. We must be still and know that He is God, and we are not (Psalm 46:10). We must yield to His perfect will, timing, power, and infinite love.

Under Holy Spirit inspiration, the apostle Paul wrote that we should not yield our body to be an instrument of sin, but instead we should yield ourselves to God, for He has raised us from spiritual death. We should yield our body as an instrument of righteousness to accomplish God’s purpose and mission for us (Romans 6:13-19). We should use our tongue to sing His praise (James 3:8-11), our hands to do His work (Ephesians 4:28), and our feet to carry us to where we can spread His Word (Romans 10:15).

The battles we fight are not against physical enemies and forces, but against spiritual foes. We can withstand these only by putting on the whole armor of God, with which He protects us in this warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18). Just as good soldiers yield to the orders of their commander, we must yield to the will of our perfect Captain and great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Nothing catches Him by surprise, for He alone knows the ending from the beginning, and He is both (Revelation 1:8).

He loves us infinitely (1 John 4:8), desires only what is best for His children (James 1:17; Philippians 4:19), and He has complete wisdom and power to do what He deems best for us (Romans 11:33; 2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 62:11).

If we stubbornly refuse to yield, we are attempting to fight the battle in our own flesh (Romans 7:18), which is no match for Satan and his minions and forces of darkness. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Every thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7), every storm cloud looming on the horizon or even shaking us with wind, lightning and thunder, is there only because He allows it into our life. No weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17), for He works all things together for good for those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

He may allow us to endure hardships to become closer to Him, to strengthen our faith (Romans 5:3-5), to conform us into His image (Philippians 3:10), and to give us wisdom and compassion to help those going through similar trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). When we act like rebellious children, He chastens us to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness as we are restored to fellowship with Him (Hebrews 12:11).

Though He slays us, we should trust Him (Job 13:15), for His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Once we have trusted Jesus Christ, our eternal destiny is secure with Him in Heaven (John 10:27-29), so why should we fear anything (Psalm 118:6) that we perceive as a threat to our earthly, temporal existence? As many evangelists have said when confronted with danger, "Can you threaten me with Heaven?"

Indeed, God's perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), if we only yield in submission to His great plan. We don’t need to understand, only to trust, obey and yield (Isaiah 50:10).

If we are malleable to His shaping, like clay on the Potter’s wheel (Isaiah 64:8), He can mold us into a vessel fit for His use (Romans 9:21; 2 Timothy 2:21). Without yielding to His expert touch, we are not His workmanship, but rebellious and brittle fragments that shatter against the wheel.

Yielding to His will also means we yield to others, placing their needs ahead of our own (Ephesians 5:21). When we see a “Yield” sign on the road, it means to allow others to pass rather than stubbornly claiming our own right of way.

And if we yield to God’s plan for our life, no matter how dismal the circumstances may seem, He has promised that our yield will increase (Mark 4:8). Allowing the Master Gardener to prune us increases our yield of souls led to Him and fellow believers we have encouraged. 

Without Him, we can do nothing, but in Him, we will bear much fruit (John 15:5). May we trust and hope in the Lord, to be like a tree planted by rivers of living water, never ceasing to yield fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8) even in times of drought, sorrow and trouble!  

© Copyright 2019 Laurie Barclay

Edited and reposted from the archives

The Wedding Dance

Photo by Paul Munhoven 8/2/2011

Today my husband and I are celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary, by the grace of God! And we are just a few months away from celebrating the 23rd anniversary of our salvation, when we became betrothed to God. I therefore thought it would be fitting to repost this from the archives.

In this dream, I hear a flute melody whispering on the breeze from far away, and I follow it across the hills to a country hamlet, nestled in the valley among pine trees, surrounded by rocky cliffs.

A young couple has just exchanged their marriage vows, and although the ceremony is over, the celebration is in full swing. The villagers clap in time to the music, joyously tapping their feet, joining in on tambourines and lyres. But all eyes are fixed on the couple, joined as one in the wedding dance. 

He wears white trousers and boots, topped by a princely white shirt and cape, and she is in a simple, long white frock, trimmed in hand spun lace. Both have crowns of fragrant wildflowers encircling their heads – his red roses and white lilies, and hers baby’s breath and forget-me-nots.

He is strong and handsome, his muscular arms protecting and guiding her through every move. Although the clearing where they twirl together is uneven, with rocky ledges and gulches, he never misses a step. As she clings to him and gazes up into his riveting eyes, her footing is sure, but when her attention drifts, distracted by others in the crowd, she stumbles. Yet even as she loses her balance he stabilizes her, whisking her away from danger and closer to him.

Soon the light changes from the midday sun illuminating the white fields, scattered like sheep on the hillside, to the long dusty beams of purple and maroon at sunset. The music changes too, sometimes tender and romantic, sometimes pounding with excitement and power, with bursts of joy intermingled with sad, soulful melodies that make me weep.

Yet the couple dances on, for he beautifully interprets every nuance of the changing rhythms. Boastful young men try to cut in, but she does not give them her hand any more than she would give away her heart, for it is promised to her beloved. As the sun sets, wolves and coyotes howl from the cliffs, and though she shudders, she buries her face in his chest and they waltz on.

A band of gypsy marauders presses in on the crowd, their raucous taunts and violins nearly drowning out the haunting flute melody, so that I must strain to hear it. But the couple still dances, moving together in perfect harmony with the flute and with each other, the bride following the groom’s perfect lead through turns, drops and sways. By now she is weary and physically drained, yet his vibrant energy sustains her, and he supports and even carries her when her strength wanes.  

Thunder echoes off the cliffs; then the skies open in a drenching downpour. The earth beneath the couple’s feet dissolves into mud, yet his attire and her bridal gown remain pristine. The flowers in his crown began to separate, revealing rainbows sparkling from golden, bejeweled crowns beneath, and I suddenly realize Who He is! The haunting trumpet sound and brilliant flash of lightning pierce the darkened sky and they vanish, caught up together in the heavens.

As I awoke I thanked Him for being my betrothed, my beloved spouse (Song of Solomon 5:1), for guiding me through the dance of life. How blessed I am by the promise that one day my Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) will return for me and catch me up with Him in the clouds (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) where we will celebrate our marriage feast (Revelation 19:7-9), never to be parted. 

In the meantime, He is my shelter from the storm (Psalm 61:1-3) and my refuge from all harm (Psalm 91). He illuminates and steadies my path (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:6), catches me when I stumble (Psalm 91:12), and keeps me unspotted and blameless through His imputed righteousness (Romans 4:22-25; 5:17-21; Revelation 19:7).

If I keep my eyes fixed upon His face I will not fear the harms and threats around me (Numbers 21:8), as He is my strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10) and my Fortress (Psalm 71:3). When I am weary, I can lean on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and He will carry me (Isaiah 40:11), for His strength is made perfect in my weakness, and His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).  

May I always focus on the tender, soft melody of His love song (Zephaniah 3:17), of His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12) and shut out the world clamoring around me (Romans 12:2). May I await His swift return (Revelation 11:14; 22:7,12,20) with the patience of the wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-12), separated and holy through His grace (Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; 1 Peter 1:15), my lamp burning brightly with the Holy Spirit.

How I long to hear that trumpet sound heralding my immediate transport to that celebration in the clouds, when my Beloved and I will be together forever! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

© 2013 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Yield

Photo by Piotrus 2008

I have always been the type of person who likes to plan ahead, anticipating every contingency, trying to do things in the best order and timing for the optimal result, no matter what the storms of life may bring. Organizing the smallest details helps to give me an illusion of control.

But there are some storms that take us by surprise like a sucker punch in broad daylight, when we’re off guard because the street is well-lit, the weather is sunny and calm, and we’re in a familiar neighborhood in our home town. How could we know that an assailant was waiting behind a building to knock the very wind out of us, to change our world in an instant?

As we struggle to our feet and try to shake ourselves off, that old instinct to take control resurfaces. All will be well if we utilize our intellect, resources and strength to make sense of this attack and to plan the best strategy to recover from it,

But as born-again Christians (John 3:3-8), who have been saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we must resist this urge to take control. We must let go and let God. We must be still and know that He is God, and we are not (Psalm 46:10). We must yield to His perfect will, timing, power, and infinite love.

Under Holy Spirit inspiration, the apostle Paul wrote that we should not yield our body to be an instrument of sin, but instead we should yield ourselves to God, for He has raised us from spiritual death. We should yield our body as an instrument of righteousness to accomplish God’s purpose and mission for us (Romans 6:13-19). We should use our tongue to sing His praise (James 3:8-11), our hands to do His work (Ephesians 4:28), and our feet to carry us to where we can spread His Word (Romans 10:15).

The battles we fight are not against physical enemies and forces, but against spiritual foes. We can withstand these only by putting on the whole armor of God, with which He protects us in this warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18). Just as good soldiers yield to the orders of their commander, we must yield to the will of our perfect Captain and great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Nothing catches Him by surprise, for He alone knows the ending from the beginning, and He is both (Revelation 1:8).

He loves us infinitely (1 John 4:8), desires only what is best for His children (James 1:17; Philippians 4:19), and He has complete wisdom and power to do what He deems best for us (Romans 11:33; 2 Samuel 22:33; Psalm 62:11).

If we stubbornly refuse to yield, we are attempting to fight the battle in our own flesh (Romans 7:18), which is no match for Satan and his minions and forces of darkness. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Every thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7), every storm cloud looming on the horizon or even shaking us with wind, lightning and thunder, is there only because He allows it into our life. No weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17), for He works all things together for good for those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

He may allow us to endure hardships to become closer to Him, to strengthen our faith (Romans 5:3-5), to conform us into His image (Philippians 3:10), and to give us wisdom and compassion to help those going through similar trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). When we act like rebellious children, He chastens us to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness as we are restored to fellowship with Him (Hebrews 12:11).

Though He slays us, we should trust Him (Job 13:15), for His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Once we have trusted Jesus Christ, our eternal destiny is secure with Him in Heaven (John 10:27-29), so why should we fear anything (Psalm 118:6) that we perceive as a threat to our earthly, temporal existence? 

Indeed, His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), if we only yield in submission to His great plan. We don’t need to understand, only to trust, obey and yield (Isaiah 50:10).

If we are malleable to His shaping, like clay on the Potter’s wheel (Isaiah 64:8), He can mold us into a vessel fit for His use (Romans 9:21; 2 Timothy 2:21). Without yielding to His expert touch, we are not His workmanship, but rebellious and brittle fragments that shatter against the wheel.

Yielding to His will also means we yield to others, placing their needs ahead of our own (Ephesians 5:21).. When we see a “Yield” sign on the road, it means to allow others to pass rather than stubbornly claiming our own right of way.

And if we yield to God’s plan for our life, no matter how dismal the circumstances may seem, He has promised that our yield will increase (Mark 4:8). Allowing the Master Gardener to prune us increases our yield of souls led to Him and fellow believers we have encouraged. Without Him, we can do nothing, but in Him, we will bear much fruit (John 15:5). May we trust and hope in the Lord, to be like a tree planted by rivers of living water, never ceasing to yield fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8) even in times of drought, sorrow and trouble!  

© 2019 Laurie Collett