Reflections on Yielded-ness

Last week we reflected on “Yielded-ness: When the Soul Learns to Let Go." We considered that after stirring, disruption, dislocation, reorientation, illumination, and discernment, the soul arrives at one of its greatest invitations—to stop resisting what God has been revealing.

Yielded-ness is not weakness.

It is not resignation.

It is not giving up.

It is giving over.

We suggested that the soul matures not merely by seeing what God is saying, but by yielding to what it has seen. Throughout Scripture, those most deeply shaped by God were those who learned to say "yes" to His leading, even when they could not yet see the outcome.

This week, we once again listen to those who are walking this journey with us.

Response from B.P.

"There is a song I enjoy and listen to quite often. Every time I hear it the words get me into full worship... 'I trust in God my Savior the One, He will never fail.... I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered, that's why I trust Him.'

I have had to learn some pretty hard lessons when it comes to fully trusting and leaning on God. I've asked Him numerous times, 'Are You sure You are a God that never fails?' because at times it certainly looked and felt like a total letdown.

Later I realized God was placing me in a position where it was simply Him and me. I could either trust Him and lean not on my own understanding—or not.

My answer became yes.

Has that yes been easy? No.

Has it been worth it? Every time.

As my life came more into alignment with His purpose, saying yes became easier. I also discovered that although God already knew everything about me, He still wanted me to tell Him. My honesty before Him became a release of burdens I had carried.

With every yes came another deep breath.

With every surrender came another reminder that with God all things are possible.

Songs like 'I Trust in God' and 'I Surrender All' now carry a much deeper meaning. Yielded-ness has taught me what those words truly require—a quiet stillness before God, a made-up mind, worship, and a heart that longs after Him." — B.P.

B.P. reminds us that yielded-ness is built upon trust. Her reflection reveals that surrender is not a single event but a relationship that grows stronger with every "yes." What once felt difficult gradually becomes the natural response of a heart that has learned God's faithfulness.

Response from N.S.

"I remember a conversation we had, Rev., when I expressed concerns about a medical procedure I was facing. During that conversation you asked me one question:

'When will you trust God like you know Him?'

That question pierced me to my core.

From that day forward I asked the Lord to help me trust Him like I know Him.

Since that conversation, and through truly surrendering to God, my growth has become evident little by little. My faith has grown. My outlook has changed. My trust in Him has deepened.

I include Him more in my decisions, in the way I think, the way I respond, and the way I face fear and life's unexpected situations.

I know I am spiritually and emotionally stronger today.

Along with surrender has come my daily practices—not only devotion and prayer—but truly sitting with the Father, taking His Word, eating it, digesting it, and allowing the Bible to read me as I read it.

Through that, I have gained greater clarity about who He has called me to be.

Yielding no longer feels like a hurdle because of the authentic relationship I now have with Christ.

I can honestly say that I now know what it means...

To trust God like I know Him.” — N.S.

N.S. reminds us that yielded-ness grows out of relationship. The more deeply we know God, the more naturally we entrust ourselves to Him. Her testimony beautifully illustrates that surrender is not produced by pressure but by intimacy.

Response from T.D.

"Yielding to God should be easier for me than it is because I know what God has done for me, my family, and my friends.

However, yielding has usually taken time.

The struggle is real.

Often I delay because I want to be certain I have correctly understood what God is asking of me.

Part of yielding is faith.

Faith should not be difficult because I know what God has already done, and I know He desires what is best for me.

Still, yielding requires me to release my need to know the entire plan before taking the first step.

As someone who likes details and organization, that is difficult.

Proverbs 3:5-6 continually reminds me to trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding.

God often reminds me of past victories whenever I hesitate.

Those reminders become encouragement to move forward.

Sometimes He even allows situations to become uncomfortable so that I will finally let go and move.

I am thankful that He patiently confirms His direction until I am able to trust Him enough to yield." — T.D.

T.D. reminds us that yielded-ness often requires relinquishing certainty. We may desire to know the entire journey before taking the first step, yet God most often asks us simply to trust Him for today's step. Faith becomes active the moment we release our need to control the outcome.

Closing Reflection

As I reflected upon these responses, another beautiful pattern began to emerge.

B.P. teaches us that yielded-ness grows through trust.

N.S. teaches us that yielded-ness grows through relationship.

T.D. teaches us that yielded-ness grows through faith put into action.

Perhaps this is how the soul learns to let go.

The more we trust...

The more deeply we know Him.

The more willing we become to follow Him.

Yielded-ness is not about losing ourselves. It is about placing ourselves more completely into the hands of the One who has always been leading us.

May we each continue learning to say that simple yet life-changing prayer:

"Yes, Lord."

Pastor Polk