Why God Always Deserves Our Yes, No Matter The Season!
Recently, I was having a conversation with someone and she had mentioned, “You have always given God your YES, it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to say not right now, I’m not ready, this is too much.” I’ve spent time reflecting on this very conversation for the past few weeks. Mediating on the word NO! What does it truly mean to tell God no. For so long I was extremely good at it. There was a time in my life when no was the only thing I gave God. It wasn’t even spoken about, more so delivered to God through my actions and behavior. My lack of communication and relationship with God was my way of saying no.
Since 2014 which was the year I wholeheartedly surrendered to God, God has received yes after yes after yes from me. Nearly, everything that God directed me to I said yes. Nothing seemed negotiable if I’m being honest. It was life or death for me. No didn't even seem like an option foreal. I knew without an ounce of doubt that God was to be trusted, I completely left my life in God's hands. That doesn't mean I didn’t ask questions or didn’t struggle with saying yes. At the end of the day, I knew that if God was telling me, guiding me, and leading the way then I was in good hands. I had given God my no for so long which led me to know first hand nothing good came from it. In my surrendering moment with God I knew that I couldn’t afford to continue saying no. My yes was my surrendering moment.
These past few months I have struggled to give God my yes for many reasons I believe. There is a part of me that has lost a bit of hope in saying yes. I have doubts if I am strong enough to walk out what God is asking me to walk out. I wonder if it would be easier just to say no.
If I said no would yes disappear? Because before when yes seemed like the only option it made it alot easier to commit. Now that I’m here it sort of feels as if it has gotten to be too much. God has brought me out of so much stuff that was holding me back and prohibiting me from reaching my potential. It’s hard not to wonder if I can really make it. Can God really use me in this type of way? It seems too hard, too good to be true. That God would continue choosing me.
When I reflect on how far God has truly brought me and the miraculous work we have done together I am amazed. I’m in awe of the goodness of God and pursuit over my life.
As I write this I’m being made more aware of the partnership it took to get me here. The co-laboring and the growing pains. I’m not sure why, but I have internalized that it's all on me from here. That I have to figure it all out on my own. As if I need all the answers now with the clear pathway forward. Not that anything has come easy up until this point in my life. I’ve literally had to fight to survive. I’ve had to fight in surrendering time after time again. Because surrendering is not a one time deal. It is a daily practice. I would even argue that it is a moment by moment practice.
Believe me when I tell you I have missed the mark many times along the way but God's grace kept me.
When I gave God my yes in 2014, I was very clear on what that yes came with. It came with such a deep knowledge that I couldn’t do anything in addition to saying yes. My yes was enough! I even went as far as telling God not to ask me for anything lol.
But for some reason now my yes doesn’t feel like enough. Before I was such a babe in my relationship with God. Now our relationship has matured. I believe that there is more required of me. In this season of saying yes I can’t just sit by and expect God to do all the work. God wants my participation. And if I’m being honest, I don’t like the sound of that.
See, as babies usually someone like mom or dad is responsible for feeding you, bathing you, discipling you. As you grow older you take on more responsibility. Everything advances the older you get. The food changes, the environment changes, the language changes, among many other factors. It is no different with our relationship with God.
It feels easier just to be a kid again. Adult life comes with way more responsibilities.
Life be lifing, right? lol
With giving God your yes it doesn’t mean that you have to move forward alone, figuring everything out and making things happen. Giving God your yes means that it is just the beginning of the journey, one that is not a solo mission. One that is accompanied with beautiful souls and lovely melodies of grace. Step by step in hardship and difficulty God will see you through. Even as uncomfortable as it might get, stay the course. I encourage you today that each season of yes looks a bit different. Don’t expect it to be like the last one. Don’t compare it to the person next to you. Most importantly don’t assume that it will require you to walk alone. God is not seeking your yes to then leave you to figure it all out on your own. Your yes is in direct relationship with Gods yes for your life. All things working in harmony for your good.
So with deep deep consideration, I’m choosing to give God my yes in this season! I know that it will require me to show up differently and it is becoming more evident that it even comes with some growing pains. Nevertheless, the fruit it bears is sweet! To be clear, none of us can truly afford to tell God no. Believe me I have, and it never turns out good. However, only like God can, in such a supernatural way, turn everything around for our good.
Take my advice, don't learn the hard way by saying no until the only answer is yes. Say yes because no isn’t even an option.