Just wrote my children’s sermon for this Sunday and thought I would share. A good reminder for reluctant adults as well. Blessings, Ken
One day, in the fifth grade, someone asked me to sing for a special event, and I said, “Yes.” And though I was scared, I ended up singing in front of my whole school-classmates, teachers, parents, everybody. I sang “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.” It was nerve racking, but it never would have happened had I not said, “Yes.”
At a time when I was learning to swim, I was wading in the shallow end of the pool when my older brother, Dan, invited me to swim with him out into the deep water. He promised he would swim beside me the whole length of the pool, out into the dark green water where I had never ventured before. And I remember as I swam, I kept looking over to see if my brother was still beside me and there he was. It’s a good memory. But it never would have happened if I hadn’t put my trust in him, if I didn’t take a chance or a leap of faith, if I didn’t say “Yes.”
When was 14 years old, I remember my neighbor inviting me to his youth group at church. And I said, “Yes.” I didn’t know it then, but by saying “Yes,” my whole life was about to change. I became a member of that church. That church sponsored me to go to seminary. And eventually, I became a pastor. They asked me to lead and I said, “Yes.” They asked me to attend a class or a bible study or a retreat or even join a committee and I said “Yes.” They asked me a lot of questions and as long as kept saying “Yes,” I kept growing and deepening in my faith.
Saying “Yes” is good thing. We may not know where our “Yes” will lead us or how our “Yes” may change our life’s direction.
Someone may ask us to lead or follow or try something new; they may ask us to stand or sit or sing or pray out loud. So tell me: “Why is our first impulse to say “No?” Because in my experience, saying “Yes,” opens new doors, offers us perspective, and expands our perception of reality.
Tiny Fey, comedian, once said, “Say yes and you’ll figure it out afterwards.” So true, right?
One day, I remember lying in bed thinking about God. I thought about everything my Sunday School teachers taught me. I thought about Jesus. I thought about nature and about my youth group. I thought how happy I felt when I realized how much God loved me. And in that moment, I said “Yes.” Yes to God! And this “Yes” changed my life.
So, this week if someone asks you to do something, instead of complaining or whining about it or saying “no” because you’re feeling tired and hungry, or overwhelmed, instead, surprise yourself!
Say “Yes.”
