Saying Yes to God
Written by Allison Erlewine
There are many moments in life that seem to just “click”. I’m talking about the moments that fall perfectly into place like stepping stones along a path, ultimately leading to a grand destination. Those moments are always exciting, refreshing, and confirming of the fact that you are just where you need to be. Those moments make it easy to say, “Look what God has done,” and to see the seeds He planted that grew into beautiful flowers. Those moments make it easy to “say yes” to God and what He is doing in your life.
But what about the moments that make it feel really hard to trust Him? I believe it is the desire of every Christ follower to “say yes” to God and what He wants for our lives. As Christians, it is deeply ingrained in us to WANT to follow Him, wherever that may lead us. However, just because it is what we strive to do doesn’t mean it is always easy. “Trust God” is a common phrase in Christian culture, but so often we do not talk about how difficult it can be to let go of our own plans when they don’t match up with His.
The simple truth is that we are human, and we have a human mindset. We can’t see the bigger picture like He can, which makes it hard when God is gently nudging you in a different direction than you had planned. Disappointment can brew when your heart desires one thing, while God is calling you to something else. There’s no shame in having these thoughts and struggles, but it’s important to remember why we need to be intentional about “saying yes” to God each day.
As I was writing this, Proverbs 3:5-6 came to mind. This is one of my favorite verses, and I have held it close to my heart since I was a child. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV).
Let’s talk about the first sentence, where I am adding emphasis of my own. “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart…” Have you ever been unsure of a decision but someone has told you to trust them on the matter? You ultimately end up going with what they say to do, but you’re left feeling hesitant and uncertain. That’s exactly the opposite of how we should feel when it comes to trusting God. We are called to trust in Him with ALL of our hearts, not just half-heartedly! It can be a difficult task! But thankfully, it goes on to explain more: “…and lean not on your own understanding.” Yes, we are built to consider all things in front of us and make wise decisions based on the information we have and the situation we are in. But when it comes to God, we have to accept that some things just won’t make sense to us. You are called to “lean not on your own understanding” in order for your heart to be fully open so you can “trust in the Lord with all your heart”. The two go hand-in-hand.
The next part of the verse says, “In all your ways submit to him”. Other versions of the Bible use the word “acknowledge” instead of “submit”, which adds to our understanding of this verse. Are you acknowledging God in every part of your life, or just where it is convenient? Maybe you need His help in one area, but you’d rather Him stay out of your business where you feel like things are going well. I encourage you to acknowledge Him in everything you do. Submit your thoughts, plans, and your heart to Him. The verse goes on to explain that if you do these things then “He will make your paths straight”.
I’m not sure about you, but I don’t want to be on a crooked path. I don’t always know the answer to what is best for my life, or what decision I should make. As I recently faced a difficult decision that would change the way my daily life looked, I brought God into the situation fully. It was with such peace and comfort that I felt the relief of knowing that I don’t have to know what is best for my life. I don’t have to know what the best decision is in every situation. All I have to do is say yes to Him. I have to trust and acknowledge Him while recognizing that my understanding of the bigger picture is so very limited – and He will take care of the rest!
May we celebrate the times it feels easy to say yes to God, and may we encourage and lift one another up in prayer when our earthly understanding makes us feel hesitant. God wants us to be joyful (1 Thess. 5:16) and assures us that He has great plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).
This week, I encourage you to confidently say YES to whatever God is nudging you about! He knows you better than you know yourself. Rest tonight knowing that the world is not on your shoulders – he bears that burden for us. He has beautiful plans ahead when we agree to follow Him.