Audio entry: "The Line in the Sand"

Every "Yes" Costs Something...

One more bible study. Go to one. Lead one.
Plan the next big event.
Meet peoples needs at church, or anywhere. Or everywhere.
Taking on one more project wont kill me. I'll say no to the next one. This is important and affects a lot of people.
A mission trip is always a great idea. They need our help in the worst way, don't they? Many of my friends go - shouldn't I then?
What about the homeless? I can't ignore that. Everyone I know seems to be serving meals or something.

But every 'yes' costs something. I HAVE to weigh the costs carefully, because I'm never the only one that pays the price.

That sounds really cliché doesn't it?
But... does that make it any less true though?

John 15:8 says - When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

To be honest, when I first even thought about not saying yes so much, to start to really be picky about what I spend my limited time on, it sort of made my stomach queasy to even consider it. Speaking as a PK (preachers kid) and a woman, I was pretty sure I was only wired to say yes.

But had I allowed the world to wire me instead of discovering how God truly intended me to live?

Saying no was very hard at first. Painful even. It still is sometimes. But it has meant more meaningful time with my husband and family. Time to care for our home better (and I definitely needed to do a better job of that - my low riding dachshund at least has less dust built up on his belly now). Time to rest and recharge (now THAT was a foreign concept to say the least!) and even get away regularly. To read and study more. To pray with and walk alongside a couple of ladies on their journey. And I'm praying about the one place right now where I can volunteer to use any gifts and talents I have to make a difference. And for its season, that will be the one single thing I devote that time too.

In John 6:28-29 they asked Jesus...

“We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

Everyone needs a re-wiring sometimes. An occasionally, like me, a complete overhaul.

It's supposed to be out of the overflow of His grace and love for me and out of my belief and worship of Him that I serve where I am most needed.

"In your presence there is fullness of joy, in Your right hand are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11

If I'm actually still enough in His presence each day to ASK him what He wants from me instead of presuming He needs me to do it all - THAT'S definitely a more fruitful way to live.

And God created way too many of us for me to ever think I'm supposed to do it all :)

Should I always be open to learn and experience new things? Yes!
But always mindful of not adding something of significant time and commitment to my plate without taking something off my plate first.

So what about the voice that still creeps in and tells me sometimes that to be a good little Christian girl I need to be serving here, and over there, and what about what all your friends are involved in? A resounding 'NO' needs to be said out loud to that lie!

God loved me first. He loves me for who I am and who He created me uniquely to be. For His glory. Not mine. To serve others, yes. But to worship and spend time with Him first. Then with the immediate family He has given me. Then I reach outward. But not with octopus arms - with the only two hands I have been given.

Psalm 115:1 - Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.


Joyful on the Journey
Marisa