Say Yes

​All you need to say is simply ‘Yes!’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. 
Matthew 5:37
 
No matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ.And so,
​through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 
II Corinthians 1:20

​I have a friend who says “YES” to everything he possibly can. Joe is no doubt the most fun-loving, positive thinking person I know. His joy is so contagious he adds life to any social gathering he attends . . . even funerals. My friend has an obsession with roadside attractions and will drive sixty minutes out of his way to see things like the world’s largest hot dog or a statue of Jesus, wearing a cowboy hat. If he wrote down his bucket list it wouldn’t fit on the world's largest roll of toilet paper.
 
When I spend the day with Joe I go home wondering: How many lives would I have to live to say yes to every life-giving opportunity heaven offers? Certainly, more than a few. Maybe that’s why the idea of eternity strikes a chord in my heart of hearts—I simply need more time!
 
One life is not enough! But, one life is all we have. Therefore, today is a good day to create your own personal “YES” plan. On my Yes Plan I have identified five life–giving opportunities that I want to say yes to, every chance I get.
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​Most of us want to say yes to everything that adds beauty, truth, or a sense of adventure to our lives. But we can’t. We must pick and choose. Saying yes to one good thing requires saying no to countless other good things.
 
Jesus was a master at letting his yes be yes and his no be no. He was not easily distracted, nor confused about his purpose. He leaned deep into relationships, built a learning community with his closest friends, and spent his life helping others discover the kingdom of God. When his work was finished, a door was opened for all people to live full and abundant lives.
 
No, we can’t do everything! But everything we do, can be done in a way that imitates the way of Jesus — the way of resolute love!
 
All you need to say is simply Yes!

​It was Archbishop Fulton Sheen who originally said, “There are two ways of waking up in the morning. One is to say, 'Good morning, God,' and the other is to say, 'Good God, it’s morning'!” On those mornings when it takes two cups of coffee before you remember that God exist, it may help to soak in the assurance of God’s mercy and spend a moment reflecting on God’s promises. After the caffeine has done its magic, and before you rush out to meet your day, re-read the words of Saint Paul, “No matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ.” 
 
When the people of God were living under the burden of exile, exhausted and oppressed by the Babylonian empire, Jeremiah reminded his community of God’s promise:  Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. 

Every sunrise is another invitation—sent from God—to the celebration called life.
 
All you need to say is simply Yes!
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Agree with Jesus and you’ll find yourself in the middle of an epic conflict—a struggle between the way life is supposed to be and the way things are. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” Each morning presents a choice: Do we join Jesus in his quest for justice—living in a way that demonstrates the values of heaven? Or, do we collude with the thief?
 
Jesus once told a story about a judge who withheld justice from an oppressed widow. The woman’s relentless appeal eventually persuaded the judge to rule in her favor. Jesus resolves the story by contrasting God’s heart to the apathetic judge – Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  
 
Jesus closes his story telling with a question: When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? In light of the story that precedes the question, I think Jesus wants to know if we will be like the persistent widow. Will we join God and help bring justice to those who cry out day and night?
 
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes!’ 
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​“Isn't it amazing,” asks Desmond Tutu, “that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity among [God’s] people?” We sell ourselves short, and limit our spiritual growth, when we only associate with folks who look and believe like us.
 
Jesus had a special affinity with people who were devalued by the dominate culture. In the parable of the sheep and goats Jesus identified himself with the poor, with the stranger and the sick, and with those who were incarcerated, by saying, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
 
We come close to Christ—and grow in our awareness of God—when we embrace diversity and include the excluded in our circle of friends.
 
All we need to say is simply ‘Yes!’ 
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In 1597, Saint Paul Miki, a Jesuit priest and a native of Japan, was crucified alongside 26 other Christians. The place of their martyrdom was a hillside overlooking Nagasaki, now known as Holy Mountain. From the cross, Brother Miki preached these words:  
 
Ask Christ to help you become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.
 
Saint Miki’s story brings to mind the counsel found in Hebrews, chapter twelve: Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
 
Whatever hardship life marks out for you, fix your eyes on Jesus, and like Brother Miki ask Christ “to help you become happy.” Reflecting on the crucifixion of Christ and Brother Miki's example, it appears the path way to joy is the path of grace and forgiveness.
 
All we need to say is simply ‘Yes!’ 
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