Romans 12:16, “Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are.”
There has been a lot said about living your life and making sure no one walks all over you. It follows by telling us that it makes us weak, and people will keep using us if we let them. This has led us to a world of stubborn goats. It’s our way, or the highway, and selfishness has grown as this attitude grows. Maybe you know someone like this, maybe you are the one like that. What happens when you come to an impasse with someone and both of you refuse to budge?
Martin Luther illustrates this in a sermon. “If two goats meet each other in a narrow path above a piece of water, what do they do? They cannot turn back, they cannot pass each other, and there is not an inch of spare room. If they were to butt each other, both would fall into the water below and be drowned. What will they do, do you suppose?”
The answer is so simple. One goat will inevitably lie down while the other goat passes over him. Once the walking goat is safely on its way, the other will rise and continue on his chosen path. That way, both get to go where they wish safely.
Although there is a lot of controversy over letting someone walk over you, there’s a difference between being a doormat and working together in order for you both to achieve your goals. We all are our own person and we all have to walk the path were led on. How easy it would be to simply lie down and allow the other person to walk over you when at an impasse. Once they have, you can simply keep moving forward on your path. Sometimes that will mean you’ll have to agree to disagree, lay the subject to rest and move on.
Would you ever call Jesus weak or helpless? Jesus gave up all His strength and power to come here and lay his life down for us. Maybe it’s time we put aside our stubbornness and pride and follow his example. It is better at times to be the first when at an impasse, to lay down and let the other crossover in order for us to move forward on our path, which should always be leading others to Jesus.
Sometimes the best thing to do when at an impasse is to put aside our pride and consider what would happen if we let the other person: speak their opinion, present their side of things, offer their ideas, suggest a course of action, or even make the decision.
What can it hurt? Would it change your direction, and if so, maybe it will be for the better period maybe ask yourself, if you continue to refuse to yield, will it keep the other person from finding Jesus for their life and salvation?
As long as you’re aligned with Jesus, there are times that allowing another to walk over you at an impasse may be more beneficial than harmful. Your rewards will be both now and for eternity.
Proverbs 4:20-22 says, My son, be attentive to my words…for they are life to those who find them… The word “attend” means to pay attention to, give some time to something. To attend to the Word of God is a lot more than just reading; it’s meditating on it.
We need to get into agreement with what God wants us to do because, as the writer of Proverbs says, these words are life! When you need an encouraging word or you’re in a negative environment, it’s good to know that you can find life (plus healing and health) in God’s Word.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on ConnectWithGodDaily
Featured Photo by Amar Kun Kawakibi on Unsplash
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