When you say yes, you say no

This has been repeated throughout this week in multiple encounters. When you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else. Even more applicable, when you say yes to anything that is outside God’s will, you are saying no to God. “Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (Ephesians 5:15-17, NIV). How many times have you felt pressured to say yes to a request only to immediately regret that response before it has fully left your lips? How many times have you said yes out of obligation or duty, but lacked the sincerity in the yes? How many times has your yes limited someone else’s yes? That has been this week!

I received an email about teaching Sunday school and I knew the answer should be no. It has been a time of transition not only with my jobs, but also in seeking a church home. Even knowing this, I hesitated to send the email response. I drafted it multiple times often ending with “but we will be here if you need us.” That was not the right answer. Rob reminded me that if I said yes to that, I was saying no to something else. I truly feel, I know, God is pulling me and our family in a different direction….so, I said no.

I mentioned I have been traveling ALOT. It has been disruptive to our normal family life and our normal family life usually leads us to church on Sunday. That was the plan. The girls spent the night with their big sister and we were going to wake them up early and attend service in person. I was tired, no, exhausted. I knew I could watch the service at home with our family snuggled in bed and getting much needed rest and quality time, but I still felt the obligation to be seen and to attend church in person. I said no, and instead said yes to staying home. Guess what? We still enjoyed the service, had great discussion about the message, and enjoyed much needed snuggles at the same time.

I am usually the one that jumps in and helps or even leans in to do the work when others are struggling…this week, I have felt the pressure to do the same time and again. I knew that if I did, I would limit the growth in someone else. It wasn’t my yes to give, so I said no…and that person’s yes enabled them to learn and gain some personal wins.

God reminds us to not be foolish, to seek Him first and follow His will. I pray that you not be deceived or drift away from His will by the pressures or guilt of today’s world. Remember, when you say yes away from God’s will, you are saying no to Him.

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