One of my favorite theologians is Charles Spurgeon. Of all his intellectual observations and spiritual insights, one lighthearted yet profound statement taps my conscience.
“Learn to say no. It will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.”
While the reference might be outdated for today’s context, the concept is not. Saying no is more useful than cooking on the grill or knowing five languages or having a driver’s license.
That’s because I’m one person and I can only be in one place at a time. It’s also necessary because I’m called to serve God above man.
When speaking of oaths in Matthew 5, Jesus taught, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (37). This simply tells me there is a time and place to say no in a godly way.
Of course we say no to temptation and trespass.
“Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; He will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.”
– Psalm 37:27-29
“Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
– Romans 12:9
Nevertheless, within the realm of righteousness there are countless opportunities to do good and pursue godliness. We can please God in hundreds, if not thousands, of ways. And we certainly can’t do so in all the ways, although some of us might try.
The typical result is “burning the candle at both ends,” as my father has repeatedly warned. Saying yes to everything all the time wears me out and makes me less useful.
Something’s got to give.
All my life, I’ve wrestled with that one little word. “No” to me meant missing out, letting down, falling short.
I didn’t understand that saying no is actually saying yes. Because saying no to one thing is saying yes to something else. Being selective about my yes’s gives me the capacity to be fully invested. When I don’t say no, I quickly get stretched too thin.
So I’m starting with little no’s because the big ones tear me up too much. When I don’t have a choice, the Lord helps me find peace in His purpose and placement for me.
I find great solace in the fact that Jesus also said no. He denied the religious leaders a sign, redirected a man who begged to come with him, and refused to come down from the cross. But He always said yes to His Father God.
And I too can be content to “live quietly, mind [my] own affairs, and work with [my] hands” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)—the unpretentious, uncluttered life of a servant who desires to be faithful.
God’s Provision: God alone can multiply the work of my hands for His glory.
Word of the Week: No. Pretty self-explanatory, I guess!
Abby
