Knowing when to say “no” has become my kryptonite. I know that I’m not the only one who has this struggle nor have I been the only one seen as the poster child for “overcommitted” – yet, as I read the Word I find that saying “no” can be a blessing I need. 

As Jesus walked the earth, He journeyed from town to town, often healing the sick, sometimes raising the dead, and performed other miracles as He saw fit. Yet as He went, He did not go and heal every sick person in every town. He was selective, and while we’ll never know the purpose behind His choices, we can reflect our way of doing ministry off His example. 

He didn’t heal every person He met, or walk on every sea He went to. He didn’t multiply every meal or raise every dead person. In short, He didn’t partake in every potential miracle or ministry moment that presented itself. He didn’t do everything there was to be done, so neither should we. 

We cannot outrun or avoid responsibility as a Christian. We have a job to do and that is to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28). The job God commands us to do needs us to be rested and prepped for the divine appointments He will orchestrate. If we are too busy because we can’t say “no,” how can we prepare and rest for these moments?

In Colossians 3:23, I find that God desires excellence, not perfection. So- aim for excellence, and if you notice something holding you back from achieving it, adjust accordingly. We live in an overcommitted, under-rested world but we ourselves do not need to live this way. If Jesus chose moments of ministry and moments of rest, we can too:)