No. Yes.

How is it that I have a hard time saying No to people, yet I have a hard time saying Yes to Elohim?

Why do many of us have a hard timing saying No to people? Fear. I will not apply to everyone, because everyone is unique. But I wish to be well loved and appreciated; I can obtain this by doing whatever others want me to do. Saying No, means looking bad or losing an opportunity to gain acclaim from others.

When Jesus calls and I either ignore or do not obey the call. I say No to Him. His Spirit gently calls in His still small voice….

“Come, talk to me about this. Ask me first, not after you have talked to everyone else.”

“It’s not in accordance to the heart I’ve given you, say No.”

“Leave this chaos, be still in my presence.”

“Come to me for rest.”

“Fear not, I am with you.”

No

Our No’s are not generally spoken out-right or direct rejections of Jesus. But, how often do you sense his call, and in your inaction, say No.

I say Yes to people because I care about me, and I want to be feel good about myself. I say No to Jesus, because I am prideful.

My Yes to people – empty.

My No to Elohim – empty.

How can I refuse the call that brings me the deepest joy? I don't know, but I do more often than I don't.

Hope. It’s the fuel for story and purpose. When it’s lost, the colors fade. Everything tastes a little more bland. The breeze doesn’t make your heart swell. After a while, your perceptions seem normal, and you forget there ever were rich colors and flavorful food, the breeze is only an annoyance.

We all hope for small things. But, have you lost the one hope that makes all other hopes fall into perspective?

Your story, if seen through the right eyes, can be an adventure filled with challenge and experience. The story only makes sense when seen with the end in sight. The end is full of just enough mystery to make it exciting, and just enough certainty to keep it worthwhile. The best part – you are never alone in your story.

If you are losing hope, maybe you need to find, “God in the shadows”.