I was reading back on a message of encouragement I received a few years ago. The message was from a person who had known me for over 25 years, and was remarking on how great it was to see how I had grown as a person. I replied it was because God had challenged and encouraged me to simply say “Yes” to Him.
Saying Yes is actually harder than one might imagine. We are often far more prone towards saying “No” to things, and second guessing ourselves than we might like to admit. Yet without saying “Yes” I am going to allow myself to be stretched and do that or, “Yes God, I’m up for whatever you bring my way” we often settle and keep within our comfort zones.
Some people find it easier according to their upbringing, personality type and life experience to say Yes to things, while others struggle with change, transition, new places, people and things, and any challenges that push them beyond what they have known.
But the God of heaven is a God of new things; of excitement, of colour, creativity, and life. He is not stagnant, or dead but very much alive and full of power and might. He looks for those who will say “yes” to Him for in those ones He is able to show Himself strong, and they are the ones who will do exploits in His name. When we struggle He promises to lead us gently and guide us into all the good things He has prepared in advance for us. We just have to learn to trust Him.
Being a “Yes God” person doesn’t mean we won’t ever have moments of doubt or thoughts of, “God what an earth are you doing now”, but it does mean we are people who trust Him more than we trust our plans, and nice neat organised lives.
God loves us, and it’s in saying “yes” to Him that we are able to become all that He purposed and planned for us to be. His dream and story for our lives is bigger than we can ever imagine. Most of the time we think far too small and limited, and God loves to come along and push out the boundaries and limitations we put on ourselves, and our futures. When we choose every day to simply say “Yes God, here I am, lead me, use me, grow me” then we will get to experience the full, overflowing, abundant life that Jesus came to give us. (John 10:10)
Today, I encourage you to trust God and His promises for your life. He has good things in mind for you; so put your hand in the hand of the one who created so much for you to enjoy and experience, and just say “Yes”!
“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20)
“What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10 AMP)
Prayer: Lord thank you that with you all things are possible, and that you have good things in mind for me. Help me to be brave enough every day to say “Yes” to you. In Jesus name Amen.