YES, NO, MAYBE…...

YES, NO, MAYBE… TAKE A STAND & STICK TO IT!

Hey there dear friends! – I sincerely pray you are all doing great!  With summer quickly coming to a close here in the U.S., a new season is upon us.  Let us go back in time for a moment.  Do you recall growing up as a child and the first time your mom or dad asked you to take care of a household chore in exchange for outside play time or some money or even the promise of a special privilege?   Do you recall how quickly you responded “Oh Yes, I can take care of that!”, or you might have said “No, I will pass on the chore this time” or “Maybe next time.”  If you just happened to live in our household, most times the only answer expected was “Oh Yes, I got it!”  How about when you decided to give your life to Christ and accept him as your personal Lord + Savior and with a resounding “Yes I would like to get baptized.”  What about the first time you realized God had called you to accomplish a specific purpose?  You remember now how quickly you answered “Yes – I will do it Lord!”  Here is the real question to consider here – Has your “Yes” changed over the years to a “No” or “Weak Maybe” due to unforeseen circumstances which may have led to some hardships?  Such difficult circumstances may include: the loss of a dear loved one, a prodigal child, strained relationships, and separation, divorce, and or health issues.  Oh you see – it can be so easy for us as human beings to release a “Yes” response as long as everything is going according to our plan and our boats are sailing smoothly but what about when the concerns of life arise?  Has your response to God’s request of you still been a “Yes?”

Quite honestly, while my response to God’s purpose for my life has been a “Yes” oh my friends – there have been times when I mentally thought “Jesus maybe you called someone else to bear this here burden” and while I have not said “No” – doubt set in.  A few years ago, while I was simultaneously going through a divorce + the death of my younger brother – I firmly knew in my heart God wanted me to encourage others but I wondered if I could handle the weight of additional tragedy.  Listen: God is not looking for perfect people who have no mess with perfect homes and perfect day-to-day activities!  Quite the contrary – God absolutely wants to use us mightily amidst all the mess we have going on!   So, if you have ever been tempted to shift your response from a “Yes” to a “No” or even a weak “Maybe” – please consider this scripture very carefully: James 1:5-6 (NLT) “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.  Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”  Our Father is looking for those who will boldly take up their crosses in spite of unforeseen circumstances and still declare “Yes!”  I promise you for every “Yes” there are bountiful blessings awaiting you presently and in the future which will affect generations.  Consider David’s decision to fight Goliath – what if he had listened to the naysayers and decided not to fight?  Would he have experienced the victory and continued provision God released for his life and all connected to him?  Oh and what about Job – who could have easily decided to curse God and die as his wife and friends suggested when he lost everything and I do mean everything including his children.  His “Yes” to God released a double portion of restoration in every area of his life.  He was wealthier after his suffering than he was prior to it!

So what is your response going to be the next time you are faced with less than ideal circumstances which arise to shift you off focus?  Will you firmly decide to take a stand even when you cannot trace the footprints of God in your situation?  By the way – we are called to believe with all our heart, mind and soul that we serve a supernatural God who will never leave us nor forsake us!  This is a promise indeed.. There is nothing which takes place in our lives that God is not fully aware of – remember he neither sleeps nor slumbers ever!  (See Psalms 121:3-4) “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.  Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.” (NLT).  “Yes, No, Maybe” are all responses we have the authority to release and are appropriate depending upon the situation, but when it comes to the affairs of the Kingdom here on earth and your purpose for God’s glory – you alone must decide to firmly take a stand, even if, taking the particular stand leaves you standing at the starting line alone. There are some races that require separation + singularity in order for God’s power to be experienced fully in your life.  Never allow the opinions of others to shift your call to fulfilling your purpose in Christ!  Do not forget you are fearfully and wonderfully made for such a time as this.