The Power of Yes
by Heather Green
We all say “yes” every day. Sometimes it’s obvious, like accepting a new job, welcoming a helping hand, or embracing a new friendship. Sometimes our “yes” is much quieter, as we give way to our attitudes, fears, excuses, or even our desires.
Whatever our “yes” looks like, it starts with a decision within the heart. We determine our choices and responses. But Scripture reminds us to pay attention to our heart attitudes because they ultimately determine our course of action:
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
(Proverbs 4:23, NIV)
If our hearts are left unattended, we may say “yes” to the wrong thing and, in turn, say “no” to the right thing. But when we guard our hearts and remain attentive to what God is cultivating within us, we can recognize His voice and follow His leading, empowering us to boldly say “yes” when He calls.
The question is: What does your “yes” to God look like?
Does it look like…
- choosing discipline over comfort?
- finishing the race even when you feel like giving up?
- remaining faithful to the assignment God has given you even when no one is watching?
- pressing into the Holy Spirit when you feel the pressures of the day weighing on you?
Throughout Scripture, God used imperfect people to change history—not because they were capable in their own strength, but because they had surrendered hearts.
Consider Esther’s life. She said “yes” when it could have cost her life. While she was initially hesitant, the words of her guardian, Mordecai, compelled her to take a bold step of faith:
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
(Esther 4:14, NIV)
Esther recognized the power of her “yes.” Her willingness to obey God in the face of adversity carried great significance and became part of His redemptive plan.
The statement “for such a time as this” resonates deeply with me because there have been many times in my life when I felt the pressure of my decisions weigh so heavily on me. Fear would flood in and rob me of my “yes” to Jesus and the blessing that was on the other side of my obedience. People-pleasing was another thief that often took me out of the Father’s will. At times, my “yes” was quieted by the fear of not measuring up to others’ expectations, hurting someone’s feelings, or my words coming out wrong.
Sometimes the hardest part of saying “yes” to God isn’t our unwillingness to obey. It’s that we become so focused on our own weaknesses that we convince ourselves God couldn’t possibly use us. The enemy loves to magnify our insecurities, past failures, and inadequacies until they become bigger in our minds than the God who called us. We begin to think, I’m not qualified or strong enough. Someone else could do this better than me. But Scripture reminds us that our weakness does not disqualify us. In fact, it can become the very place where God’s strength is most clearly seen (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The truth is, God never asked us to be sufficient in our own strength. Christ is our sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5). Yet when we lose sight of that truth, our weaknesses can become an easy target for the enemy. Maybe the enemy doesn’t have to convince us to stop believing in God. Maybe he simply must convince us that God can’t use us because we are not good enough. If the enemy can keep our eyes on everything we lack, he can keep us afraid to step into what God is asking us to do.
But faith shifts our focus. Instead of asking, “Am I enough?” we begin asking, “Is God enough?”
And the answer is yes. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 exactly what the enemy desires and what God says about that:
“The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance.”
(John 10:10, NIV )
God offers an abundant life that can only be experienced through faith and obedience. When we say “yes” to God, we take a bold step of faith. Faith is our tool to break the chains that hold us back so we may walk in the fullness of God’s purposes for us. Because God calls us to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), faith says “yes” before all the details are revealed.
Our blessing is often found on the other side of obedience. Peter experienced this firsthand. Jesus called him to step out of the boat during a raging storm. The miracle didn’t happen while Peter was in the boat. It happened when he stepped out in faith:
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Jesus saying, “Truly you are the son of God.”
(Matthew 14:25–31, NIV)
Peter’s experience reminds us that God often meets us in our “yes” and not before. Our “yes” creates an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed (Ephesians 3:20). It starts in the heart, rolls through our spirit, and comes out of our mouth as we come into agreement with God. Most often, our “yes” is uncomfortable, but through it, the Father stretches and grows us into the sons and daughters He has called us to be.
Looking back, I see how fear and insecurity stood between me and my “yes” to God. For so long, I focused on all the reasons I didn’t feel qualified and questioned my ability to be used by God. While I still struggle with some of those thoughts at times, I’ve learned to take them straight to Jesus as soon as they start to enter my mind.
We have a daily decision to make. We can listen to the voice of fear or the voice of God and trust that His Word will always lead us toward abundant life rather than destruction.
Friend, your “yes” might feel small, but in the hands of God, one act of obedience can change the course of your life and leave an eternal legacy.
So pause and ask yourself:
- What does God want to do in my life?
- What does my “stepping out of the boat” moment look like?
Remember, when you say “yes” to God, you can trust Him to meet you where you are and bring His work to completion:
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 1:6, NIV)
Your “yes” is not a promise that you have everything figured out. It is a declaration that you trust the God who does. And when you place your “yes” in His hands, you can trust that He will faithfully finish the work He has begun in you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You never call only the qualified. You call those who are willing and equip those who answer. Forgive me for allowing fear, doubt, and comfort to keep me from obeying You. Give me the courage to trust You when I cannot see the whole path. Let my life be marked by a pure heart of obedience rather than hesitation.
Help me to remember that I can do ALL things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength. Teach me to say, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.” May my “yes” bring You glory and point others to Jesus.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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