Saying Yes Always Doesn't Mean You're in God's Will

I have been very guilty of always saying yes when asked to be involved in something.  Now granted, I love being busy.  I can enjoy sitting at home and being lazy sometimes, but I don't like doing nothing.

The joke with people I knew growing up was if the church doors were unlocked, I was there.  Every group I could be involved in at church I was.  Choir, early morning bible study, orchestra at one time, drama group, mission trips, camps, fun trips...you name it and I was helping or going in some way.  It's great to be involved in church activities.  We are called to spread the news and being apart of the foundation of the church, but sometimes I think we feel like we have to say yes to every opportunity brought our way.  Maybe its because of guilt, maybe because we feel that its what we are suppose to do. 

Even with activities outside of the church.  In school I was involved in so many clubs, the leaders of a lot of them, sports, drama, debate.  I was always go go go.  So needless to say, I believe some of this is what led to my burn out as I started college.  In college, I was in a couple of things but not totally dedicated to it.

I think its time that we realize it is ok to say no.  It doesn't mean that we are bad Christians.  If the reason we are saying no is because we listened to God first before giving the answer, then we are actually being obedient to God's will.  In Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest, he states "Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today and the saints who are 'bringing every thought [and project] into captivity' are criticized and told they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature."  

Saying yes to everything does not mean we have complete zeal and passion for God's will and work.  That zeal comes from being centered in God's will and following His direction for our life.  So don't feel guilty if you say no to something that is asked of you, or feel like you are not concerned about the lost.  We each have a calling and a talent to use.  When we use those talents for God's will, there is peace and God's will is perfected.

Jesus didn't chase after every opprounity or after His own will.  He listened to His Heavenly Father and followed God's will for his life rather than His own.  As Christians we are to be like Christ, and as Oswald states "We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvations, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ's views of God, the world and of sin and devil."  

Romans 12:2 states "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  When we renew our minds to be like Christ we will be able to see God's will for our life, and know when its time to say yes, and time to say no and not feel guilty about it.