Sometimes, it’s okay to say ‘no’ when people ask you to do things. Jesus Himself sometimes respectfully refused when people demanded things from Him that were contrary to His mission:
* Brothers’ squabbling? Jesus hadn’t come to decide such things (Luke 12:14).
* Begging Jesus to stay in Capernaum? “We must go on to other towns as well” Jesus replies (Mark 1:38)
* Herod’s questions? “Jesus refused to answer” (Luke 23:9)
* Be our Earthly King? Jesus had bigger plans! (John 6:15)
Consider Romans 12:4-8. All of us are called to use our abilities to help our church. Some may have a gift in public speaking. Others may get weak in the knees at the very thought. We all have something to offer. Whether our talent is serving, teaching, encouraging, leadership, kindness, or whatever else, we should use that gift to the fullest in the service of God in His body, His church. But this does not mean that we have to say ‘yes’ every time we are asked to do something.
“All men think of themselves as kind of low level superheroes … when men are growing up reading about Batman, Spider – man, Superman, these aren’t fantasies, these are options.” (Jerry Seinfeld, I’m Telling You For the Last Time)
We are not superheroes. We don’t have to do it all. Sometimes we say ‘yes’ just to please the person asking. But we are called to do something, not everything, and we must aim to please God, not people. Consider what Paul said: “I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10). By agreeing to speak in public when the mere thought fills us with terror, not only are we ignoring God’s gifts, but we may be taking the opportunity away from someone who is truly gifted in this area.
Jesus was able to achieve His mission in only three short years because he focused on His mission. Perhaps if we do the same, by playing to our strengths, so too will our efforts be magnified a hundredfold. How we go about furthering our mission as a member of God’s body depends on our gifts. Let us refocus ourselves today on using the gifts that God has given us to the fullest. And remember, it’s OK to say no.
Question: Which unnecessary obligations do you have that are preventing you from serving God to the fullest of your ability?
by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission
FURTHER READING
• The Transcendent Life – by Francis Frangipane
• Why am I Here by Vonette Bright
• Let God’s Light Through – by Darren Hewer