What does it mean to be yielded? Do we merely stop and look before we proceed full speed ahead? How does a Christian live a yielded life in Christ?
Webster defines yielded as; Produced; afforded; conceded; allowed; resigned; surrendered.
Did you see the last word? Surrendered. As Christians we can live yielded because it simply means we are surrendered to Christ.
Isn’t that what Christians are supposed to be? We’re supposed to live our lives surrendered to God, His will and His direction for our life. Most of us know what we’re supposed to do, but we struggle with how to actually do it.
I remember a saying that was popular when I was a teenager, it really spoke to me then and it still does today.
You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? <<– Tweet This
This is something I believe that all of us should ask ourselves on a regular basis. Often I see Christians caught up in knowing exactly what to say, telling people what they should do, and yet I wonder if they are just talking or if they are really walking… I even find myself wondering if I am just talking the talk…
Living a yielded life means we must lay aside our wants and desires, to focus on what God calls us to do each and every day. Being yielded in Christ requires intentional planning, taking the steps He places in front of us and leaving things behind that will only distract us from being yielded to the very will of God.
We know what to say, when to say it and what we’re supposed to do with our lives as Christians. But how do we actually make sure we’re following through?
1. Take time to be quiet with God.
Don’t make an agenda. Talk to Him. Listen for Him. It is only in the quiet moments we can hear Him speak.
2. Study God’s word.
Don’t just read it to mark it done. Dig in. Get to know and understand exactly what He’s saying to you.
3. Don’t make immediate decisions.
Pray first. Ask for God’s direction. Living life yielded to His will requires seeking Him first.
4. Practice what you preach.
All too often we’re ready to tell a Christian friend how to handle/do things. 9 times out of 10 we need to heed our own advice.
5. Find a reliable accountability partner.
Be honest with them. Ask them to be honest with you about you. While it might be hard to hear sometimes, it will only make us grow and get stronger.
6. Surround yourself with growing Christian friends.
Growth encourages growth. Growth produces a life yielded to Christ.
7. If your church’s doors are open, be there.
Don’t make excuses. God’s house is where we should always want to be.
8. Make a difference, take the big steps.
Only in the big steps do amazing things happen. A yielded Christian life is willing to take big steps for Christ.
9. Let go and let God.
He has it all under control. Let Him handle things…even if you don’t understand His methods. After all, can we really change anything that’s part of God’s plan?
10. Repeat.
Start again at the top. Living a yielded life all starts with talking and listening to God. He will grow, strengthen and prepare you for all that He knows lies ahead.
This post was not easy to write. Every word I typed made me look back over my own life and see the places that I need to focus on. I don’t merely want to know what to say and when to say it, I want to live it. I want to walk the walk.
What things do you need to change in order to live a life yielded to Christ?
