The Risky Rewards of Saying “Yes” to God

I said “Yes” and married an 18-year-old man-child when I was 17. Three months later, the man-child said: “Let’s start our family!” Again, I said “Yes”. It was risky to marry so young, but even more risky to bring a baby into this world when we were mere babies ourselves. We didn’t have our maturity, knowledge and wherewithal acts together to take care of ourselves – never mind taking care of a baby.

But sometimes it takes risk for the greatest rewards. I sit here basking in the rewards I have reaped from my “Yes” at my children’s home in Austin while seeing after my two youngest grandsons. I have five other grandchildren on their own – and I might add their parents, who are doing quite well despite the lack in ability and means of their young parents years ago. It was worth the risk.

Mary could have said “No.” It would have been the reasonable, safe path to take. After all, who in their right mind would believe that she was pregnant and a virgin? She had no way of proving that she was telling the truth. Saying “yes” to God’s plan for her life meant she risked being stoned to death. Yet she said it. Yes to humiliation. Yes to being misunderstood. Yes to an uncertain and frightening future. I can’t imagine the emotions she felt — a young girl, being visited by an angel who told her God had chosen her to bear the Savior of the world. A supernatural conception. Who had ever imagined such a thing?

I’m convinced that Mary didn’t understand the magnitude of her “Yes.” Or what her future would look like. Lord knows I sure didn’t understand the magnitude of my “Yes”. I wasn’t visited by an angel bearing world-changing news back then or even lately, have you?

But that doesn’t mean that God isn’t continually asking us to say “Yes” to Him — in big and small ways throughout our lives. “Yes” to a difficult marriage. “Yes” to forgiving someone who has hurt us. “Yes” to confronting parenting challenges we’d rather ignore. “Yes” to thriving – not just surviving the loss of a spouse or loved one. “Yes” to an opportunity He has for us that includes boldness, uncertainty, and risk.

What holds us back from saying “Yes”? For many of us, it’s fear. I know that’s the #1 barrier to my ability to say “Yes!” to God with gusto. When I said “Yes” to teaching Sunday School years ago; “Yes” to leading women’s ministries; “Yes” to being the keynote speaker at women’s events; “Yes” to leading Life Groups. Each “Yes” came with angst and uncertainty. But with each “Yes”, I became more mature in my walk with God. When I obeyed Him, He was always faithful to equip me and change my heart.

I started out insecure. I felt inadequate. The prospects of failure intimidated me. It would be hard and, bottom line, I didn’t want to do it. But I found out that each “yes” came with the most fulfilling and amazing things I’ve ever done. I didn’t get a visit by an angel. As surely as God choosing Mary to be the mom of Jesus, I know He had a mission in pulling out the best of me – birthing in me potential and usefulness to His Master Plan.

I know God called me for such a time as this years ago – even with this daily blog. As Mary and I found out — the good stuff is found in the “Yes”. Even when, at times, it’s hard and heartbreaking. We may never know the long-lasting impact of our “Yes” to God. Certainly, Mary did not. But I’m so thankful she took the risk. My “little” YES in comparison to hers seems puny — but not in God’s eyes.

Might you say “yes” to God too? “You’re welcome” to those of you who have been holding out! Just say “Yes”! The rewards are so worth it!