we can’t say “yes” to everything

October 1, 2012 By 9 Comments

We only have twenty-four hours in this day. That’s it. And God is such a detailed, intimately involved God that He has an opinion on how we spend these fleeting hours. And sometimes that means we can’t say “yes.”

 

 

I’m telling you, there are lots of “good” things we could do today. Good projects that could help us organize our pantry or good help that we could give to another. Things that could make us look extra hip or super spiritual. But we can’t say “yes” to everything or everyone. If we do, our plate gets too full and things start spilling over the edge.

We only have twenty-four hours. And He has an opinion as to how we spend it. So before that little “yes” comes out of our mouth, let’s ask His opinion. “Lord, is this how you want me to spend my time today?” Because He has a plan; and it really is best.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How do you keep from saying yes to every good thing that comes along?
 

And to the ones He led to say “yes” to this wild idea of memorizing the Sermon on the Mount…

{Week 33}

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye.
Matthew 7:3-4

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Filed Under: daily filling, Sermon on the Mount
  • christie elkins

    Lara, thank you so much for this gentle reminder today! I am a recovering “yes girl”. It helps being reminded that “no, thank you” is a good thing sometimes, too!

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      It is. Praying we would know when to say “no, thank you.” Bless you, sister.

  • Kathy Breslin

    Yes Ma’am! Ha!

  • Margie

    Several years ago our church has a speaker at our yearly Women’s Growth seminar. It was all day on a Saturday in the middle of Januray. It had snowed and was still snowing and I thought long and hard about safety and staying home. It seemed to snow and be typical yucky Iowa weather every time we had this event. I was so ready to stay home when suddenly I heard myself say, Satan the Lord wants me there today for some reason so shut up and leave me alone. So I bravely asked my husband to take me. It was one I was so glad I did not miss. I can’t remember the speakers name but I bought one of her cassettes (tells you how long ago it was) It was her struggle to stop saying yes and it was wonderful. The part I repeat to many others who struggle is. As a pastor’s wife she felt obligated to do a little of everything but with small children she just could not keep up and was becoming quiet and withdrawn. One Sunday during her nursery duty as elderly woman come up to her and started talking and they shared lots of things. The things that was remarkable was the simple comments the elderly lady said. “Honey, if you don’t stop saying yes, the people that God really wants can’t.
    It relieved my guilt and opened my eyes. So now when I am asked I wait, pray and watch as several times someone else will say yes before me.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      That’s so true. At times we say yes because we think no one else will step up. But maybe they would if we weren’t “in the way.” Oh that we would be led by Him.

  • Shana

    A little devil’s advocate here….sometimes I find that we hear this so much [don't say yes to everything], that we use that as an excuse to say yes to nothing. Volunteers are extremely scarce in many areas today (church, preschool, etc)….at least in the areas that I am involved in. This next generation is taking this to the opposite extreme. Your message is good, Lara, that we need to seek the Lord’s guidance and ask how HE would choose for us to spend our 24hrs!!

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      You are so right, Shana. “The laborers are few.” Serving in the church definitely needs to be something we seek His guidance for. Because He may want us to say “yes” to something that we’re putting off. I guess the bottom line is that we seek Him. He will guide. Love you, sister.

  • Sllwenzel

    This was so near to my heart. I have said yes to everything and have found that today I am running on empty. I have stepped away (very guilty at first and then realized someone else would be blessed by stepping in!) I am ready to be filled because I realize that I have nothing more to give because it’s all been given away. ……

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      I have had seasons in my life where I’ve done the same thing. Sometimes we have to lay everything down and really seek Him to know which things He wants us to “pick up.” Audience of One.