Our son has just passed his driver’s test and is now officially taking our prayer life to new heights! It is hard to believe that all of our children are now driving. (I am personally indebted to Tammy for her patience in helping each of them…and me.) As we have discussed and practiced certain basic driving principles in recent days I have been reminded of the importance of the “yield” sign. It is not as pronounced as the stop sign, but just as important!

What is true in our daily mobility is also true in our journey of life as Christians. We often tell young people to stop doing certain things but far too many of us live our whole lives without truly learning to yield. The ability to yield is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of wisdom.

Here are three times that all of God’s children must learn to yield:

1. Yield to the loving law of the Father. When you love someone and you know they love you, you also can trust that their guidance is for your good. Or, in the words of John, “his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). When God specifically forbids something or encourages something in His Word then we must believe that He knows best. Regardless of how we feel, what others say, or what everyone else is doing – it is time to yield.
2. Yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Yes, we call Jesus “Lord,” yet He said that it is possible to call Him Lord but not do the things He says to do (Luke 6:46). Our attitude toward Christ is reflected in our obedience to Him. F.B. Meyer said that if Jesus is not Lord of all then He is not Lord at all. Is He your Lord? Then it is time to yield.
3. Yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is God living in you, and He is not just there to be present! He is not along for the ride, He is to be in the driver’s seat. The Holy Spirit is with you to guide your life into all that God has for you (John 16:13). To “walk in the Spirit” literally means to stay in step with Him – not ahead of Him, not behind Him, not apart from Him. Let the Holy Spirit set the pace and the direction of your life. Every day is the time to yield.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all working to direct your life. Wherever you are heading today and whatever comes up along the way, you will always be glad you learned to yield. You don’t have to have it your way. At every crossroads in life, it is time to yield to God.