Just Say "Yes"

One thing we don’t have to teach children is to say the word “no.” Instinctively, they know “no” – no to obedience, no to sharing, no to eating what is good for them, etc.  Well, it shouldn’t be surprising that we [adults] have the same problem – that is, saying “no” to harmful and destructive things both in-and-outside the body. King Solomon laid out quite a repertoire of things he had explored, provided, granted, built, accomplished for himself: fine food and wine, impressive buildings and pools of water, lush vineyards and gardens and orchards, entertaining and pleasurable experiences, immeasurable amount of wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:1-10). Sounds like the “American dream,” huh?  YET, he wrote: “Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.” (V.11, AMP). Momentary passings – mopping the floor, taking a bath, fueling the car, a good night’s sleep – all temporal, necessary but to be done over again. Jesus taught us to consider the worth of worldly gains in relation to the eternal: “”For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26, AMP).  The real value of saying “no” to the temporal and “yes” to the eternal will not be fully realized in this world but for certain in the next.  I suggest we know this: when we say “yes” to God, life’s about to get really good and sweet!  Just say “yes” and hold on!