Did I mention that I failed my driving test on the first try at 16? 

Despite being really nervous, things had gone pretty good for the first 5 minutes. And I was beginning to think ahead to the “dreaded” parallel parking test to come. Then I heard the driving test examiner calmly say this. “Did you see that yield sign?” I hadn’t. And a quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed its existence. “No, I’m sorry, I didn’t see it,” was my response. “Well, let’s just head on back to the office now,” the examiner said.  Not yielding was grounds for immediate failure.

That was an early lesson on the importance of being willing to yield. It's important, especially when it comes to the life of faith. The Bible tells us it’s part of the heavenly wisdom that comes from God. 

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.” (James 3:17, NRSV) 

Being willing to let go of what you think is best and what you want is hard.  And I would add it’s countercultural as well. I would also argue that being willing to yield, when appropriate, sounds a lot like someone else I know. His name is Jesus. Question is, am I willing to follow Jesus?  You?

Your partner on the journey,

Pastor Steve