I just recently read the Bible from cover to cover in 90 days. Yes, that’s a crazy amount of reading every day. Yes, it’s hard to get past Leviticus, but it was one of the best things I have ever done.
In the beginning—God.
In the end—God.
In the middle, He displays His glory through our life stories.
As I read, I noticed that the Bible contains many stories of men and women who said yes to God—even afraid.
Saying yes to God comes with having to say no.
What do I mean by that?
I love the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3 (maybe because I once accidentally burned down the only outhouse in a village in Nepal, and I wish it was because God was meeting me at that burning moment!)
God comes to Moses and tells Him He has a big job for Him.
He wanted to use Moses to be the one to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt.
Before Moses says yes, He says no.
He mentions all His insecurities. Why God couldn’t/shouldn’t be choosing to use Him.
Have you ever had a moment like that? I sure have.
A moment where you sense God’s call, His invitation (hopefully not through accidentally burning something) in your speaking, your writing, or your ministry calling.
And you want to list all of your insecurities.
I know I have. I recently sensed God calling me to work on my next book proposal. I wanted to say no. I listed all the reasons I couldn’t say yes—fear of failing, fear of the hard work, and fear of being unable to get a publisher because of those dreaded platform numbers.
But I knew God asked me to put my yes on the table.
So, I put a no on the table first.
No, I won’t listen to my insecurities. No, I won’t let fear of failure, rejection, or hard work keep me from being obedient.
No, I won’t let fear stop me.
God met Moses in His list of insecurities. He tells Him He will send Aaron to help him. That is why I love our Speak Up Community. We can cheer each other, support each other, and do ministry together.
Sometimes, it’s not just saying no to our insecurities and fears.
Are you someone who has a hard time saying no to things? I know I am because I have a fear of missing out. I don’t want to miss out on any fun. I also don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings if I have to say no.
I have learned I must ask God to help me kNOw my yes. I capitalized the word NO in the middle of know because no’s often have to come with yes.
If you want to say yes to your speaking and writing, sometimes that means saying no to leading the casserole committee, planning the Christmas play, and heading up the soccer snacks.
That’s where I love James 1:5. “If anyone of you lacks wisdom, He should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to Him” (CSB).
It’s been amazing as I have asked for wisdom for my no’s and yes’s how God has given it.
Even this week, I had to say no to a paying speaking engagement because I knew God was calling me to say yes to a big ministry trip overseas.
Question: Where is God directing you to say NO?
About Jenn Hand
Jennifer Hand, Founder and Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries, has a desire to provide an invitation to Come Alive in Christ through conferences, retreats, and written resources. She’s an author, speaker, and podcast host. She also loves to take people on crazy adventures, inviting them to laugh, grow in their faith, and experience the love of Jesus. Check out her newest book, My Yes is on the Table, and learn more about her ministry at www.jenniferhand.org.
Such much wisdom in this blog. I hope every speaker and writer gets to read this.
Blessings!
Thank you so much Paula. I will tell you that God deeply spoke to my heart as I wrote it. I am thankful for you and your ministry and your yes to God. Praying blessing over you.
Jenn, this is such an encouraging word! I love the line, “God met Moses in his list of insecurities.” Thank you for this gentle reminder to trust God with our lists.
I love you, Kim. I am telling you that even as I was writing it, I was having to give God my list. I am so proud of you, friend, and your yes to God! Saying a prayer over you.
I’m engaged in a book project that was daunting to consider at all, as it involves much research and some deep digging into 60-year-old material. But God quite definitely spoke to me about it, so I dug in. Although the virus lockdowns halted the work, I’ve relaunched it, and despite landing in frustrating dead ends, it satisfies me. When it is done, the book will serve a greater purpose.
A book of great use to authors, Christian and otherwise, is “Charitable Writing: Cultivating Virtue Through Our Words” (2020) by Wheaton College professors Richard Hughes Gibson and James Edward Beitler III. I picked it up second-hand almost two years ago and found it most inspiring. In particular, I like the chapter titled “Slow Writing,” in which the authors encourage readers not to rush that first, rough draft to their professors (or, for readers, into publication), but to let the work’s premise ferment and develop. They recommend sharing the rough draft with fellow writers (in their case, other students in the class) to get feedback and critique that reveal other ways of looking at the topic, ways that might be better or more fulfilling. This is vital to any authors seeking to improve their work.
Jenn, as always, your insights based are scripture are filled with wisdom! Thank you for this important reminder that when God asks us to say “Yes” to something, that decision often means saying “No” to something else that isn’t His highest priority for our life and ministry.
I am always learning so much from you and your wisdom, friend. I am so thankful for the Speak Up family!
Soo good!! Thanks Jenn! Your biblical insights never fail to encourage my heart. Plus I always love the chuckles (outhouse burning bush moment) LOL! Thanks for being real.
I am glad you got a good laugh! And I am so proud of you and watching the yes that you are saying to God. Keep saying yes and no, friend!