Just Say “Yes!” in 2017

There was nothing about her to suggest she would be “the one.” Ordinary, run of the mill, common, regular are words to describe her. Aspirations were about the upcoming wedding, starting a home with her soon-to-be husband and having a slew of kids. Yet... she lived an extraordinary life. One that would be remembered for all time. And it all comes down to this: she said, “Yes!” with her words and her feet. And kept saying, “Yes!” That’s it. She did nothing that you or I could not do.

There was nothing about him to suggest he would be tapped on the shoulder with such privilege and responsibility. Ordinary, run of the mill, common, regular are words to describe him. Aspirations were about the upcoming wedding, providing for his bride and raising a slew of kids. Yet... he lived an extraordinary life. One that would be remembered for all time. It all comes down to this: he said, “Yes!” with his words and his feet. And kept saying, “Yes!” That’s it. He did nothing you or I could not do.

There was CERTAINLY nothing about them to suggest they would receive one of history’s most amazing invitations. Ordinary (very), run of the mill, less than common, regular are words to describe them. Aspirations were for a good business year, provide for their families and pass something on to their kids. Yet... they had the most extraordinary encounter. One that would be remembered for all time. And it all comes down to this: they said, “Yes!” with their words and their feet. And kept saying, “Yes!” They did nothing you or I could not do.

My best guess is that there is nothing about YOU to suggest you will experience the incredible. Ordinary, run of the mill, common, regular are probably words to describe you. Aspirations are likely about your family, career, health, church, and making a difference in some small way. Yet... you are offered an incredible life. One that will be remembered by people for some time and that will send ripples unseen into many generations to come. And it all comes down to this: say, “Yes!” with your words and your feet. And keep saying, “Yes!” It is something every person can do. If you want to. If you decide it is worth it. If you are willing choose a way that is beyond you.

God WANTS to do and invites us to experience the incredible. Read His words:

²⁰Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)

¹²“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. ¹³Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:12–14 (ESV)

Reflecting on 2016 I realize I said, “No,” to God multiple times this year. Oh, I didn’t actually SAY the word, “No.” In fact, I said, “Yes!” ... with my words. Problem is, as my lips were moving my feet were not. I was not rebelliously heading in the opposite direction. It’s just that my feet were stuck in the quicksand of procrastination, good intentions, spiritual thoughts. High on commitment and low on action. I fully intended to do those things, but they ended up on the back burner, on the bottom of the pile, on the to do list that was too long. It lands in the same pile as if I had looked God in the eye and firmly said, “No.”

It is humbling (terribly so) and sobering (kick my heart in the teeth wakeup call) to realize I’ve been saying, “No,” to God. Arghh! A thousand times ARGHH! Not defiantly but by irresponsibly failing to act. Not every time, but often enough to know I’ve hurt the heart of my Heavenly Dad and robbed myself of some of the incredible He wanted to do.

Mary, an ordinary teen, just kept saying, “Yes!” to God. Still ordinary but walking with the extraordinary God.

Joseph, an ordinary young man, kept saying, “Yes!” to God. Still ordinary but walking with the extraordinary God.

Bethlehem shepherds, ordinary (some would say less than), said “Yes!” all the way to the stable. Still ordinary, but walking with the extraordinary God.

And you and me. Ordinary people invited by the extraordinary God to walk with Him into the incredible.

2017 is going to be different. There. I’ve said it. I will make the effort, change the habits, rearrange some priorities, trust God in new ways. I am committing to say, “Yes!” every time.

Would you like to come along? I invite you to commit with your words and your feet to say, “Yes!” every time you feel the nudge, hear the voice or see the invitation to join God in what He is doing. When we will do, we join the ranks of Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds – ordinary people who walk into the incredible with the extraordinary God.

Boldly, Herb

www.herbshaffer.com

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