However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of compassion and good deeds, and without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. [James 3:17 ISV]
I love the phrase "willing to yield". I think that idea is so essential to leading a wise life. Some feel that wisdom is all about standing firm and not yielding to the lure of sin. I suggest to you that it is more about being open to God and yielding to His Spirit as he beckons to us.
Make no mistake though. Yielding is really hard. It is the heart of what Jesus meant when he commanded us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow him. Yielding is twofold. Denying of what we want. Embracing what God wants. Letting go of our comfort as we pick up our cross.
In truth we cannot hold on to both our comfort and the cross. Each are at odds with each other. One satisfies our wants while the other fulfills our needs. One must give way to the other. We must leave our comfort zone in order to yield to the Holy Spirit as he teaches us to carry our cross.
I am stubborn Lord. I want my own way. Yet I am willing to yield. Teach me the way.
... this devotion is part of the z2a bible words series.
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