“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
In 2015, producer and screen writer Shonda Rhimes wrote a book called The Year of Yes in which she describes her season of intentionally saying “yes” to opportunities. Although the mere thought of saying “yes” for a year is enough to make me want to run and hide, I’ve recently been through a season of saying “yes” to things I wouldn’t have done even a year ago.
However, in order to say yes, there are a few things I need to do.
In order to say “yes”, I need to make myself available.
Can I use the time I already have available more effectively? Am I willing to give up something I do regularly to have that time available?
In order to say “yes”, I need to be humble (James 4:10 ESV).
I’ve said “yes” to leaving various positions, giving up the titles that went with them. I realized pride played a role in my decision to stay in the positions as long as I did. Once I got over myself, I could see that God wanted me to move on. . . and do it with humility.
In order to say “yes”, I need to have a servant’s heart (John 12:26 ESV).
I have one question for you: Are you willing to clean someone else’s toilet? It might seem like a strange thing to think about, but it’s come up in my life more times than I’d like to think about.
And in the spirit of saying “yes”, I don’t I say “yes” because I’m thrilled to clean the toilet, but because it will help someone else. I mean really, who doesn’t love a clean toilet?
Scripture is filled with examples for us of people who had servant’s hearts:
In order to say “yes”, I need to go outside of my comfort zone.
True confession: I’m a musician who doesn’t like performing alone, but I do it anyway. It gives me “street cred” and makes me put my money where my mouth is with my students.
And it’s an opportunity to serve.
When God gave the Israelites instructions for building the tabernacle, He also gave them skills to use for His glory (Exodus 35:30-35 ESV). I have the skills and I have the training. . . and who am I to say that I won’t use the talents God has given me?
When serving as Worship Leader with limited time to say “yes”, especially on Sundays, I felt something was missing because I was in a music-shaped pigeon hole.
During my current season, I believe my role as a church member is being a floater. I’ve been a floater at work during standardized test administrations – not assigned to proctor the test, but to check-in with proctors to see if they need anything (supplies, a break), and to be available for them.
As a floater, I’ve said yes at church:
- to attending a one-day trip to an organization my church supports
- to teaching a summer Sunday School class
- to serving a two-month term on the Nominating Committee
- to subbing on the worship team
- to being in the nursery (which is super fun for me – I get to play with kids and then hand them over to their parents)
- to giving my testimony at Kid’s Club
But how many “yesses” are too many? – well, that’s a topic for another week 🙂
What small “yesses” can you make this week?
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
