Every day, I get advertisements from book promotion sites with suggestions of books they think I might like. Today, one of the suggested books was “The Joy of Saying No.”  Now, let me be quick to say that I don’t know anything about the book or the author. I probably know their intent, and perhaps it’s a good book. But as a believer, it just didn’t resonate with me. 

You see, Jane and I have lived our lives with the attitude that we’re always looking for a reason to say yes…both to God and others. In my opinion, the world is full of “no-sayers” and needs a lot more folks saying “yes.” When God opens doors, we say yes. When people ask for help, we try our best to say yes. I’ve often been told, “You’ve got to learn to say no.”

I get it. We can overextend and burn out. We can overdo it and hurt ourselves. I understand that we need rest. But I also know that God will sustain and provide for us when we say yes to the opportunities He puts before us. There seems to be some debate about who said these words, but they have been my motto for most of my life: “I’d rather burn out than rust out.”

Life is short, relatively speaking. If God gives me 70 or 80 years here on earth to make a difference, I plan to do that. I plan to do it with all the energy, passion, and strength that I have because what isn’t short is eternity. It won’t be short for me, and there will be plenty of time for rest. More importantly, it won’t be short for those who die without knowing Jesus. I’d much rather be tired here and rest there if it means someone I love or care for will spend eternity in heaven rather than in hell. 

I believe the key is having a “yes” mentality. Every day should be started with a reminder to God that my answer is already “yes.” Whatever He has planned for the day, which includes me…I’m ready. “Wherever, whatever, and whenever” should be my mantra each morning as I ask God what He has in mind for the day. Then, when the “sealed orders” come, I’m set, already in the right frame of mind, and have eliminated the chance of saying no to Him when He asks. 

So, what’s your goal today? Mine is to find how many things I can say yes to, how many doors I can walk through, and how many people I can talk to about Jesus. I hope yours is too.