What do you think of when you hear this word? Slow down? Proceed with Caution? Give someone the right of way? What if I told you yielding is really a measure of strength?
Although the
word yield sounds like weakness, in engineering there is actually a term called,
“Yield Strength”. Yield strength, is defined in engineering and materials
science as the stress at which a material begins to deform. Prior to this point
the material will deform elastically and will return to its original shape when
the applied stress is removed. Once the yield point is passed the deformation
will be permanent and non-reversible. For materials without a clear distinct
yield point, yield strength is usually stated as the stress at which a
permanent deformation of 0.2% of the original material will result. That’s a pretty small measurement used to
detect a change in the material that is deemed to be permanent.
Look at this
diagram below. At the top of the red line we can see the point at which the
material is at its max before it starts bending and ultimately breaks = Yield
Strength.
Back in 2009 I printed out this story about yielding from CrossWalk.com.
A man was on a trip and came to a one lane bridge. At the entrance to the
bridge was a sign reading Yield. He
looked, and saw no one coming the other way so he went across the bridge. On
his way back he came to the same bridge.
On that side of the ridge he saw a sign reading Yield. He was confused. He
thought he’d seen a side on the other side reading yield as well. Sure enough, when he crossed the bridge and
looked back he saw a yield sign on that side too. Why would there be a sign on
both sides? Simple without mutual
yielding the crossing was only partially protected. For us to gain 100%
protection and eternal life, Jesus humbled himself and came to be the sacrifice
for our sin. Bridge side 1. Now it’s our turn to yield to His plan and
let Him make us in His own image with His ultimate strength. Bridge side 2.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His
mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
In building materials strength is measured in tension (tensile) as well as
rigidity. Tension strength of a material
is the maximum amount of stress that it can be subjected to before failure. This
comes after the bending and the item can no longer be returned to its original
form.
There are three typical definitions of tensile strength:
Ultimate Strength - The maximum stress a material can withstand without
breaking.
Breaking Strength - The maximum deformity of an item that produces a rupture.
In God’s world of spiritual engineering we wouldn’t even make it to the
.02% of yielding strength. So small is our contribution, in terms of strength,
we really aren’t even part of the equation.
There is no way we’d have any way to stand without His help. It would
like putting butter in a steel pressure test machine.
(Click here to see this 20
second butter strength test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CBOPT7qpXVY)
God has to be the material we are made of if we have any hope of withstanding the pressures of the enemy. He is so strong, nothing can bend Him into deformity or break Him. He can also remake us in such a way that any previous deformity or break is restored. To become remade with His materials, we have to yield to Him. We Yield and He supplies the Strength. Do the math – With God, our “Yield Strength” is off the charts!!
Here are some definitions of Godly Strength to consider:
Yield Strength - “If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (Message)
Ultimate Strength - “This is what makes you so great, Master God! There is none like you, no God but you, nothing compares.” 2 Samuel 7:22-24 (Message)
Breaking Strength - “When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed. Proverbs 10:25 (Message)
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for all of us who believe.” Ephesians 1:1-19 (NIV)
AFTER ALL THIS SCIENCE STUFF – CLICK HERE TO WATCH A MUSIC VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmi9IBP209s&feature=player_embedded
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