The Power of Yes
There is power in saying “Yes” in our relationship with God. Releasing our strangle hold on relationships and plans forces us to confront the inner control freak hidden deep in our hearts that keeps us saying “no” to change and in effect to being able to embrace the reality of who God is in even the difficult places we find ourselves in from day to day. I’ve been reflecting on Psalm 81:10 this week. It says, “For it was I, the Lord your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it with good things.” …”Open your mouth wide and I will fill it with good things.”
I met a friend for breakfast this week and she brought her almost one year old son with her. As she and I talked and laughed, he sat playing, teething as well as eating. My friend would occasionally give him a bite of fruit or bagel and for the most part he would open wide for her to put it in his mouth but at times for whatever reason, he would purse his lips, close his eyes and shake his head no, refusing to receive what she was offering. Oh how I would love to know what was going on in his little mind. What kept him from opening wide? Was he full? Was he just focused on other things and didn’t want to be bothered? It’s fascinating to watch big personalities in such little bodies begin to come out!
True Fullness
So, reality is, we can do this with our heavenly Father! For whatever reason, we resist opening ourselves up to perspectives, opportunities, peace, or people He tries to share with us. Sometimes we are more focused on other things–our agendas, worries, dreams. Other times, we fear what He’s sharing looks too much like something we have determined we don’t like, want or need. Still other times, We can just be contrary or lazy. Can anyone relate? We can find “fullness” so in many things– to do lists, the things we love (like gardening, church, binge-worthy Netflix shows, sports, volunteering, professional work, people, etc. Not all of those things are bad but each of them has the potential to rob us of the true and lasting fullness that awaits in opening our “mouths” and receiving the things God wants us to taste and be filled with.
To receive this requires faith to believe God is who He says He is and that He really does love us as much as He says He does. If I believe He is who He says He is, then He is working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28), He is faithful and true (Deuteronomy 32:4 ), He created and knows my inmost being (Psalm 139), He is powerful (Psalm 93), He will provide (Psalm 36:9; Luke 12:27), and His spirit brings love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). “So what’s the problem?” I ask myself. The problem is I get deceived about the satisfaction–the fullness–that those other things can truly give. My expectations ignore their limitations. Oh, they give some satisfaction–some more than others, some longer than others.
A Heart Filled With HIM
When I eat vegetables from the garden I’ve tended or check off everything on my to do list for the day or hear how great I am from friends or family, there is definitely satisfaction I feel, however, an end to the growing season comes, there is always a new “to do” list and yes, I mess up and disappoint people in my life. That satisfaction doesn’t come close to the fullness found in a heart at rest and steady in HIM. All those other things become a bonus rather than the focus. James 1:17 says,”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” A heart that is filled with Him is also steadied by His unchanging and faithful character, rather than our ever changing circumstances. We can “taste and see” –even if in our imperfections, we open wide with eyes closed shut at times–that what He offers really is good and what He offers satisfies like nothing else.
