Yes! No! Maybe Later!

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

What if Jesus asked you to follow him? What would you say? Yes, No, or Maybe Later. 

 

When Jesus told me to follow him to the 10/40 window, I was fifteen years old. One night, I dreamed that I was in China. I was preaching about Jesus and someone in the crowd told me that I could not say Jesus. I could not help but say Jesus, loves you! And I was put in jail with the death penalty. I woke up with tears and told God that I don’t want to go because it will cost me my life. So I told God No. 

When I turned eighteen, I worked for the church. I would clean the church, cut the grass, and prepare for any events that where happening. This was a hard time for me as I wanted to be in the mission field but God wanted to train me by teaching me how to serve others. 

When I turned twenty-one, I enlisted in the Army as cable technician. My first duty station was Germany, where I got a chance to travel all over Europe. When I went to Israel, God spoke to me about going to the 10/40 window. I didn’t take him seriously, so I told him I will go if you can show me some signs. I asked him for three signs and God did them all. My no than became a maybe.  

 

Even though I had a heart for missions I didn’t want to leave my job working in the military. It gave me stability and a opportunity to build my career. I was getting paid well and finding out that I was good at leading people. But something deep down, was not right. You see, I knew what God wanted me to do, but I was running. 

 

Then one day, I asked God to give me a special assignment. As I waited for him to tell me what he wanted to do, I begin to prepare both spiritually and physically. Back in 2007, I felt God showing me his heart for the 10/40 window. He told me that he wanted me to go there and share Jesus with people who have never heard the gospel.  

 

Now its 2015, I finally told God YES! I mean an all out Yes. A yes that means I’m not turning back. I’m not doubting, I’m not going to even back out. And when I say Yes I mean it.  

 

Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I tell Jesus, I’ll follow you later, and I was left empty and with no peace of mind. I had the Holy Spirit tell me to do something but I said no, and I was left feeling weak. As I became more mature in Christ I started to obey him more and more. This was more out of love for him and not obligation. I felt more alive more passion and more joy!

 

It’s true when Jesus said in John 8:12  

 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Let me get straight to the point. I’m not a writer, not big on finding new creative ways to articulate a message to my readers. But I am left wondering, what is God calling you to do? What is he wanting you to say Yes to? You might run, you might say no, maybe later, but in the end I believe you will to say Yes! And you will find peace and joy. Don’t take my word for it! Experience it yourself. Go! Prepare! Say Yes!