Will You Yield?

~Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."~
I have been leading the ladies in my study group through a book called Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. We have really enjoyed taking our time reading through the book and sharing with each other our thoughts, insights, etc. As I read a few pages last night, I came across something that just stopped me in my tracks. Seriously.
One point that she mentions is the lie that "I have my rights." This statement has been used and abused by so many for so long. Of course we have our "rights", but do we really need to go around demanding and proving and stomping our feet?
The part that struck me was: "...the fact that successful relationships and healthy cultures are not built on the claiming of rights, but on the yielding of rights. Even our traffic laws reflect this principle. You'll never see a sign that says "You have the right of way." Instead, the signs instruct us to "Yield" the right of way. That is how traffic works best; that is how life works best." (p. 74)
WOW!! Do you see that? Yield the right of way! That means that I may HAVE the right of way, but I am going to YIELD the right of way. Guess what?? It's not all about me. I don't have to have my way or demand my way or fight for my way all the time. I am talking about giving up what you believe in or compromising your standards. I am talking about everyday relationships.
If we all learned to yield ourselves, we'd be so much happier. Life would be more simple. Imagine if we could teach our young children to YIELD. They would do so much better with their siblings and school mates. Eventually, it would even help them with their spouses and employers. Again, I am not talking about allowing yourself to be walked on...I am talking about considering others first.
Listen. I realize that sometimes it is necessary to state our rights and get what we need, but for the most part, we could yield our way.
I once heard someone say that they felt sorry for women that were at the "beck and call" of their husbands and children. When I heard that statement, I actually felt sorry for HER. I love being able to serve my children and my husband. It truly does bring me joy.
The bonus (that this lady may never get to experience) is that my husband and children see the joy I have in serving them and in return, THEY begin to yield their way and give back to me! I am seriously spoiled!
Do you know what our Savior did for us? He YIELDED Himself. Romans 15:1-3 tells us, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. "
There are so many ways that we can YIELD. It's as easy as allowing someone to go ahead of you in line at the grocery store, but it could also be something bigger. What is it for you?