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Why Not Say ‘Yes’?

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Why Not Say ‘Yes’?

By CNP

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, two young church members were going door to door to invite people to visit their services. When they knocked on one door, it was immediately clear the woman who answered was not happy to see them.She told them in no uncertain terms that she did not want to hear their message, and before they could say anything more, she slammed the door in their faces. To her surprise, however, the door did not close; in fact, it bounced back open.She tried again, really putting her back into it, and slammed it again with the same result – the door bounced back open.Convinced these rude young people were sticking their foot in her door, she reared back to give it a slam that would teach them a lesson.Just then, one of them said quietly: “Ma’am, before you do that again, you really need to move your cat.” [1]CatStuckInDoor_cropped_LOLFor many years, opportunities knocked on my door and I refused to answer. Even some opportunities I believe came from the Lord.I was either too afraid to get out of my comfort zone, too afraid of what people might say if I “blew it” or too afraid of failure.I hate to admit it, but it wasn’t a Bible verse that inspired me to answer those doors. It was a movie. And I didn’t even see the movie.I read a review about a silly Jim Carrey movie, “Yes Man.”In the 2008 film, based on a book by Danny Wallace, Carrey’s character—a lonely man—attended a motivational seminar and heard the speaker tell the audience, “Say ‘yes’ to everything.” The exercise was designed to build self-confidence and greater purpose.According to the review, Carrey’s character acquired new skills as he continued to say “yes”—which leads to a happier life.For me, a Christian, saying “yes” means a lot more, especially when it involves the Lord. It’s a matter of obedience, regardless of my fears and potential discomfort.When opportunities come, I still pray for discernment and check to be sure the opportunity doesn’t violate scripture, but then I pray, “Lord, I’m going for this unless you give me a clear ‘no’ or ‘wait.’”
Refusing to walk through doors God prepares for us means we’re willing to settle for the blessings of the past.
God told Israel:“. . . I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)God, the Creator, may want to do something new in and through us! And He will strengthen us for whatever He calls us to do (Ephesians 3:16).Canadian author Connie Cavanaugh wrote a book in 2011 that gave me more insight for my new-found “say yes” freedom.In Following God One Yes at a Time, she wrote (emphasis mine),“Fear can become a barrier behind which we cower, too afraid to say the next yes. Or fear can be the pathway on which we move forward, one yes at a time, perhaps slowly and painfully, but hand-in-hand with God.“Every time we choose to believe God and say ‘yes’ with our feet,” Connie said, “a brick comes off the wall fear built and gets placed squarely in front of us to become a stepping-stone that takes us toward fulfillment of God’s dream for us.” (2)Connie explained the kind of follow-ship that leads to fulfillment of our dreams and God’s will for us. “Following him,” she said, “requires the simple trust and immediate obedience of a child who believes God will make the way to Him simple, immediate and possible.” (3)I still have so much more to learn about following God, but now I’m eager to say “Yes!”In fact my focus word for 2015 is “dauntless,” which means “fearless determination.” I’m determined to walk through every door God opens with fearless faith and freedom! How about you? Are you ready to walk through the doors God opens for you?Is there a door you’re refusing to walk through right now? If so, what is keeping you from obedience and a fresh adventure with God?LOL With God

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