when saying yes to God means saying no to good.

Good opportunities abound. In this world of broken, there is no shortage of ways to serve and love well. But if we aren't careful, we can busy ourselves with so much good that we miss out on God.

I'm not the first to write on it. I claim no corner on the market. But I can attest from personal experience to the damage of living in overwhelm. There are seasons where our schedules and emotions are taxed beyond our control. But there are also times when our inability to say, "no" creates a burden God never intended us to carry.

saying "yes" to God.

 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40

Most of us are familiar with the two greatest commandments. Love God. Love others. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 clearly outlines what love is, and Romans 12:9-21 gives solid instruction on putting that love in to action. 

Almost all good things could easily be categorized under these commands - so how do we know when we are saying "yes" to God? When it lines up with the rest of His word. You see, God never intended us to take bits and pieces of scripture to be used to back individual arguments. His very character is woven in to His living, active word.

Often, our "yes" to God comes with a price - a sacrifice of comfort, ease, or convenience. But unless in direct opposition to the written word of God, we should not say "yes" when it compromises the relationship between spouses, causes irreparable damage to a family unit, or causes us to neglect another aspect of God's word.

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saying no to good.

About a year ago we made the difficult decision to close our home for foster care. We let our license run out, but knew we had a year to reopen without starting all over. That date came and went without us updating our home study. 

We said "no" to the very thing I advocate for on this blog. It was humbling. Felt hypocritical. And was quite possibly one of the hardest things we've ever had to say "no" to.

Several months ago, that "no" to a good thing enabled me to say "yes" to a God thing. I was offered the position of Executive Director with Mid-Atlantic Orphan Care Coalition. The vision of the organization is to see every Bible-believing church intentionally engaged in caring for children in need of families. Part of that is helping churches create communities that foster love  - and provide support to adoptive and foster families. The very thing I advocate for on this blog became my work-from-home job, that enables me to help other individuals, families, and churches to say "yes" to whatever part God is asking them to play in caring for kids in need of families. 

We could have pressed on and said "yes" because it was a good thing - opening our heart and home to another child. But it would have been one child, and our experiences with adoption have shown us that directly following welcoming a little one home, I need to turn my full attention to our family. God has literally multiplied the impact by allowing me to serve in this position that encourages others to open their hearts and homes. 

That humbling, hard, seemingly hypocritical "no" opened the door for answered prayer and a realized dream. 

In other seasons, I have had to say "no" to ministry outside our home. In the midst of behavioral crisis, God needed my "yes" to be dedicated attention to our family - serving and loving them well.

reflection.

What good things have you said "yes" to out of obligation or compulsion? Are there things God is asking you to say "no" to so that you are free to say "yes" to what He has in store for you? Do you need to turn your full attention to your family for a season? Take a moment to pray. Ask God if there's anything He wants you to do - or stop doing. Then take the time to listen for His leading, and follow!