The power in the word, "no."

Someone once said that Jesus never said "no" to anyone who came to Him to be healed. Therefore, since we are in his likeness, we don't have the privilege or right to say "no" to the kingdom of God.

This has been an issue that I have battled as an introvert. When my passion is blazing for Jesus, it's so simple and easy to say "yes" to everything and anything that may have some sort of spiritual benefit or connotation. Eventual burnout is evident, so I must recluse into a place of rest a rejuvenation.

In John 11, Jesus was approached. Lazarus was dying, and Jesus was asked to go and heal him. Jesus refused to go saying, "this sickness will not end in death." Then two days later Jesus told His disciples they must go to Judea, that Lazarus had died. Then Jesus raised Lazarus from death.

I think it is more important to see that Jesus always obeyed and responded to what He heard and saw the Father doing. Not whether He said yes or no, but that He always obeyed his heavenly Father. In this, I believe Jesus said "yes" and "no" at times, and whenever He did, it was never to please men, but to reveal the Father's heart, His love and his nature.

For some of us, we need to say "no" more often, so that we may be available to say "yes" to Him when He calls. For others, we need to say "yes" to the things we think may not be fully beneficial to ourselves so that God is given the opportunity to work through us in our weakness and uncomfortable or awkward situations.

The most important intention that must be behind our response, is wether they glorify God and His Son. So, listen to God and He will speak, He will make known to you what is best for you and those you encounter in every moment.

I pray God blesses you and that your ears are opened to His voice and that your heart is further open to obey His voice. I pray that you live in constant tension between passionately seeking His face and running out to show His love with the world, full of desperate sons and daughters. I pray that your choices are made for the best intentions for not only you but also for those around you, the ones you see and the ones you do not seen. Please, pray the same for me.

Thank you Jesus, for making us and putting us in this world full of You, full of wonder and adventure.
Bless us, and keep us in the Light of Your Face.

Thanks for reading!