Living yes is more than simply saying, “Yes, I’ll do that.” It requires follow through. It is a mindset to respond by putting others first. Living yes challenges me.
The parable of two sons highlights this. We say yes and then don’t follow through or we say no and then get up and get it done.
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. (Matthew 21: 28-31 NIV.)
Any of us who raised a teenager is likely familiar with both of these responses. I have found myself most often the one who says no first and then follows through on the request. Whether it is my husband trying to coax me into assisting him in processing his harvest or God asking me to do just about anything, I often need some continued prodding.
This parable highlights the challenges of follow through and saying yes to God’s call. Living yes, means not only responding yes to God, but living in a posture that is ready to say yes and follow through immediately. I am working on my negotiating with God. I often want to put parameters on the request or delay the timeline. Living yes means I stop doing both of those things. I am a work in progress.
How are you at living yes? Are you ready to respond? Are you willing to make the sacrifices necessary to respond with yes? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.