Check Yes or No.....
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A few weeks ago, I had to make an important decision. Basically, it was a yes or no decision. I didn't want to make it. So, I kept putting it off and putting it off until it came right down to the wire.
For weeks, and even months, I had been praying about this decision. Even after much prayer, I was still not getting a clear answer from the Lord.
Nothing was clear.
However, clear or not, I had to give an answer regarding this decision.
Ugh.
Here is the real deal: I didn't want to say yes. At all. I found a thousand excuses why NOT to say yes.
Saying yes would mean a big commitment. Saying yes would mean stretching me beyond my comfort zone. Saying yes would mean saying yes with a big fat bad attitude about it.
My answer came yesterday.
I was running around the track with my son, Joseph. We were about halfway finished.
I was drenched with sweat, and ready for this run to be DONE.
It was hard. Much too hard to be doing at 10:30 in the morning, sun blazing down.
While I was making a turn around one of the bends on that track, I remembered a story from the Bible. It was from Matthew 26.
Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying. He would be crucified on the cross that very same day, and He knew it.
He had a choice. He could run away. He could say "no" to what was ahead. He could have easily said, "You know what, I have done much for the Kingdom. I want to just chill for a while."
As I re-read this scripture, I noticed that God didn't come down and say to Jesus "This is what you should do."
No. Jesus made the choice after much prayer in that garden. Jesus was so close to God in prayer that the choice became clear.
Jesus knew that the harder choice would lead to the greater outcome.
Jesus knew what had to be done, although His flesh was screaming in pain.
As I pondered this story of Jesus, I knew my answer.
Just like running is torture to me, the outcome is good in the end. I feel refreshed. I feel accomplished. My body is secreting toxins, and I know I will be healthier because of it.
I knew that by saying "yes" to this decision, it would stretch me. It would take me out of my comfort zone and put me in a vulnerable situation.
Being out of our comfort zone, and feeling unequipped is exactly the place He wants us.
We lean on God in these times.
We are desperate for God in these situations, because our flesh is incapable.
"His Power is made perfect in our weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
As soon as I made up my mind that the answer would be "yes", a rush of peace washed over me.
After all of these months, praying, and praying, and praying.
The answer was just a simple, "yes".
If I am honest, I am not "thrilled" about this "yes".
But, is life about just always being "thrilled?" No.
He will stretch me. He will grow me. That will be the "thrilling" part.
I am learning that what makes my flesh happy, is not always best for me.
It's what makes my flesh cringe, that is usually the best choice.
Are you facing a hard decision today?
I encourage you to pray. I encourage you to seek His Word.
Go for the harder choice.
God will do great things through you when you say no to the comfortable and yes to the uncomfortable.
Wait and see.
just say yes,
jill
Receive SHINE by email: Go here.
A few weeks ago, I had to make an important decision. Basically, it was a yes or no decision. I didn't want to make it. So, I kept putting it off and putting it off until it came right down to the wire.
For weeks, and even months, I had been praying about this decision. Even after much prayer, I was still not getting a clear answer from the Lord.
Nothing was clear.
However, clear or not, I had to give an answer regarding this decision.
Ugh.
Here is the real deal: I didn't want to say yes. At all. I found a thousand excuses why NOT to say yes.
Saying yes would mean a big commitment. Saying yes would mean stretching me beyond my comfort zone. Saying yes would mean saying yes with a big fat bad attitude about it.
My answer came yesterday.
I was running around the track with my son, Joseph. We were about halfway finished.
I was drenched with sweat, and ready for this run to be DONE.
It was hard. Much too hard to be doing at 10:30 in the morning, sun blazing down.
While I was making a turn around one of the bends on that track, I remembered a story from the Bible. It was from Matthew 26.
Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying. He would be crucified on the cross that very same day, and He knew it.
He had a choice. He could run away. He could say "no" to what was ahead. He could have easily said, "You know what, I have done much for the Kingdom. I want to just chill for a while."
As I re-read this scripture, I noticed that God didn't come down and say to Jesus "This is what you should do."
No. Jesus made the choice after much prayer in that garden. Jesus was so close to God in prayer that the choice became clear.
Jesus knew that the harder choice would lead to the greater outcome.
Jesus knew what had to be done, although His flesh was screaming in pain.
As I pondered this story of Jesus, I knew my answer.
Just like running is torture to me, the outcome is good in the end. I feel refreshed. I feel accomplished. My body is secreting toxins, and I know I will be healthier because of it.
I knew that by saying "yes" to this decision, it would stretch me. It would take me out of my comfort zone and put me in a vulnerable situation.
Being out of our comfort zone, and feeling unequipped is exactly the place He wants us.
We lean on God in these times.
We are desperate for God in these situations, because our flesh is incapable.
"His Power is made perfect in our weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
As soon as I made up my mind that the answer would be "yes", a rush of peace washed over me.
After all of these months, praying, and praying, and praying.
The answer was just a simple, "yes".
If I am honest, I am not "thrilled" about this "yes".
But, is life about just always being "thrilled?" No.
He will stretch me. He will grow me. That will be the "thrilling" part.
I am learning that what makes my flesh happy, is not always best for me.
It's what makes my flesh cringe, that is usually the best choice.
Are you facing a hard decision today?
I encourage you to pray. I encourage you to seek His Word.
Go for the harder choice.
God will do great things through you when you say no to the comfortable and yes to the uncomfortable.
Wait and see.
just say yes,
jill
