Are you willing to say yes to the now?”
I sat and stared into space for 5 seconds after hearing this through my airpods.
To quickly contextualize: I am not normally one who pulls up a podcast or sermon on the whim as I work, but here I was, sitting in a coffee shop, Bible open to Romans, when God prodded my heart to search up, “The Porch” (The Porch is a Young Adult ministry based out of Watermark Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area).
The message I had unintentionally clicked on was about the purpose of the woman, how God created her to nurture, how God bestowed beauty in her, and how she can be used in God’s kingdom regardless of where she is in life.
The speaker went through his list of questions and ended the night out with, “are you willing to say yes to the now?” This “now” that he spoke of, pertains to whatever God has currently placed on your heart to do. And while this question was pertaining to the lesson, I thought it was a good question to ask in general.
I can’t speak to what or when everyone”s “now” could be, but I can speak to the moment God asks us this question. I’ve found there are a few responses we can give Him:
“I am…but can you give me some details for what it is that I’m getting myself into?”
“Yes! Let’s put those Crocs in sports mode and get!!”
“Yes…but let me have my coffee first.”
“Maybe?”
“Honestly, no. I am not ready to say yes to the now.”
While these may seem funny, the crazy thing about these answers is that our faith can grow out of each one. In our obedience to God, we develop a trust in Him as the provider, author, and sustainer. In our hesitancy, God highlights the areas in our lives where we need to give up control and take on trust. In our excitement, God grows our joy which in turn points others to Him. In our honesty with Him, we grow in humility, reliance, and our ability to be vulnerable before the Father.
It may be that your “now” is stewarding the Gospel in your home. Your “now” could be taking on a teaching role within your church, standing up for Biblical principles, starting a Bible study, taking advantage of Gospel-Sharing moments at your workplace, or even intentionally spending more time with God throughout your day.
I don’t know what your “now” is, or what it could be in the future, but this we can be sure of: saying yes is worth it.
Romans 8:28 states that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
So, whatever God may be creating your “now” to be, are you willing to say yes to it? And if in true honesty the answer is “no” or “not right now,” are you willing to be vulnerable with God so that in the future it could be, “yes?”
Rays of Sunshine inc 