Do you say yes to things even when they are not good for you? Do you let God fill your plate, or do you take pleasure in filling it? This is dedicated to the busy mom and the tired friend who feels the need to say, “yes” to EVERYTHING. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Can I do that? Umm… Why yes, yes I can. No- it just sounds so unspiritual, uninspiring and plain rude. If I say, “no” someone might think I don’t care about them.
As I agreed to babysit, pick someone up for a doctor’s appointment or agreed to head up one more ministry, encouraging verses flashed through my mind like, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.“ Philippians 4:13 I told myself I needed to be a good example to other ladies. I would hear things like, "You are one of the busiest people I know.” I thought that maybe others would see and follow me and have a desire to serve. Maybe I took so much more on me than God ever intended that they cringed at the thought of being like me.
I didn’t seem to realize, until I moved into the RV to go on deputation, that the world would continue to turn if I wasn’t there to pick up the pieces. My health was weakened. I was headed to burnout. Apparently, I was not relying on my Savior as much as I thought I was one.
I know. It sounds horrible. I am no savior. I am broken and needy. But, in my desire to serve others, I KNOW I took on things that God did not intend. My Savior didn’t pressure me to do it. My husband didn’t pressure me. I did. Jesus knows we need rest. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
Mark 6:31
We all know the saying, “There is a ditch on both sides of the road.” I heard it put this way. Your life is like a tightrope walk. Sometimes you lean too much to the right or left and you must balance back to the center or else you will fall. So, what are we to do? How can we know when to say yes and when to say no? Serving IS so important. Jesus Christ was the ultimate servant, and we are to follow in His steps. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:5-7
So, what about the, “I can do all things” verse? Wait, Paul’s yes was to the things Christ put in his path-complete surrender even to the tough stuff he was served. Let’s look at the preceding verse to Philippians 4:13 to understand better. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:12
Here is Paul, faithfully serving on missionary journeys (did I mention he was faithfully serving God); and God is allowing less then “perfect” (in our mind) circumstances in His life. However, Paul was willing to humble himself and say yes to whatever God wanted. In the same way, God promises us His strength to do whatever He puts in our path. We too should say yes to anything that God wants in our life. What we need to say no to are the things that will keep us from the greater YES, the plan ordained by our Heavenly Father.
We should definitely be ready to serve others, as God leads out of a heart of love and gratitude to Him, and not out of fear of saying no and hurting someone’s feelings or “feeling” unspiritual (just plain old pride). “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
Serving others is commanded and exciting, and it will be tiring. But, when we say yes to everything God serves us, it is covered with this promise, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.“ Philippians 4:13
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
