Selective Yes's

January.29.2012 am

The cliché goes that life is full of options and choices of both Yes’s or No’s. Our human instincts taught us to choose what’s always convenient for ourselves. We thank God that He’s always faithful in changing our selfishness through obeying His words. But, what if obedience requires us to undergo inconvenient situations? Are we still willing to say ‘’Yes’’ even when it hurts? Even when it meant abandoning our own course to let Him take over our life’s ship?

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I have learned the words ‘’Convenient Christianity’’ the last time a speaker visited our church. I can relate this simply when we only follow the convenient part of God’s commands, and not the whole of it. This describes us as people who believe in God, yet for the sake of not giving up wants and our own ambitions, we frequently choose to disobey or not following the rest.

My younger sister often shares her dream to work outside the country, travel here and there, save money, and own a luxurious car and perhaps two or three fat international credit cards. We enjoy daydreaming about how life could’ve been if we chose to live the way we want. Our fantasies end every time we boil down to the main issue of obedience to God. It’s not anymore about what we want but about what God wants. It’s not anymore about our plans but about His plans. It should not be about us, but more of Him. And then, a sigh immediately follows, with a thought of ‘’Tsk, tsk, tsk! It could’ve been so convenient but God…’’. There even came a point where some of us unconsciously blame our choice to obey God for not being able to achieve the things we wanted in our lives, of the positions we missed in the corporate world, of the success that could’ve belonged to us. Knowing these inconvenient results, we lose heart in serving Him and we underestimate our tasks as God’s workers. We end up feeling insecure with other friends who have chosen the road to convenience and are currently enjoying the pleasures of life.

But that’s what pleases God – when we put Him first over our self(Matthew 6:33). We are crucified with Him(Galatians 2:20-I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me) therefore it’s Him who must receive all the glory in everything . When we are willing to suffer inconvenient situations, we are forwarding a step while growing in the Lord, setting our minds on things above and not the things on earth(Colossians 3:2 to 4-Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory). What’s convenient is not always the best option but full obedience to God is (1 Corinthians 10:23 to 24-“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good…).

So the next time you face inconvenience, take heart. Remember that it pleases God to hear our full YES in obeying Him. Now THAT should be convenient enough for us to stay happy in living for Him.

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Last Look: Caleb, wholly followed the Lord and received the promise of God (Deuteronomy 1:36)

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