The more I follow God’s callings, saying yes to the little nudgings He gives, the more it seems I’m making circular patterns. Not in the sense that I’m not getting somewhere, but in the sense that there is repetition. My first missions trip was to Mexico, and 5 years later I returned leading a different trip which made me take a look at the path between those two trips – from a pothead to a part-time missionary and youth leader. Two years after that first trip was a journey to South Africa to visit family and I sat on the God’s Window mountain range for the first time. Last February I sat in the same spot, looking out not just over the African landscape but also the 6 years of my life since standing there last. From my first ever flight on a plane to my 40th. Next was a day in Spain, only 3 years afater having lived there, and the sights there reminded me how a new culture had somehow become one I felt more at ease with than my own (love those siestas). And now, here in China, I returned a year to the day since I left, and am wondering at God’s great plan. My circles have gotten smaller lately it would seem.
As I stand at each of these reflection points the question always arises – how did I get here? What events led from that journey to this one? And as is most common, it’s all the little things you think nothing of at the time. An ‘I just raised my hand’ as Caitlin experienced. A little yes in your heart, or even a verbal one. A ‘Why not?’ as you fill out an application or go to a young adults event at your church you don’t normally attend. A random conversation with a stranger. I was talking to a good friend of mine named Allan just after returning from the race and he asked me something like ‘What would it look like if you’d said no to the race?’ Further on in the conversation we were looking at how little a yes God needs to change the course of all history. Moses raised his staff and stretched his hand over the sea and the Israelites were delivered, their history as a nation began anew. Think about it – ‘Raise your staff, stretch your hand over the ocean Moses.’ ‘Nah, that sounds silly.’ Bam, no more Israel. Slaughtered by Egyptians. Step into the river, tap a stone, follow me, cast your net there, say these words, build an Ark (ok, that was a big yes) – every time God performs a miracle or just shows up in all His glory on behalf of His people there’s some small act of obedience asked of someone. Some little yes. And God does something absolutely huge with it. Blind see, nations are delivered, sick are healed, hungry are fed, and the world is remade either figuratively or literally (or both). Everything I’ve seen in my life and everything I’ve missed has been from my yes or my no.
I wonder how many say no. How many world changes have we missed because we lean on our own understanding? How many have gone hungry that God was calling out to someone to feed? Because someone looked at the cost of going and thought ‘I can’t afford that,’ or ‘I have loans to pay,’ or (and this is one I actually had someone say to me) ‘I just got these dogs, they need looking after.’ Trump it up and justify it any way you want, it’s nothing but a no. Don’t get me wrong, I get it, I’ve done it and I’m sure I still do. Our little problems look huge from the bottom of the mountain they are to us. Can’t give this week, I’ve got too many bills. Can’t take a sabbath, too many things to do. Can’t go overseas, don’t speak the language, afraid of flying, will miss my family. But the moment God puts something on your heart to do He’s got it in hand, however small or big that something to do is. All the issues that look insurmountable are going to be as nothing by the end of it. Give, go, stay, speak, pray – the God who gives a nation water when someone in obedience taps a rock will cover your needs and the needs of those who rely on you when you follow in obedience. We try to change the world or just look after our small corner of it and it keeps spiralling downwards. But all He needs is someone to raise up their staff when He tells them to and the whole thing will be remade.
So think about this today – your yes will change the world. So will your no. What answer are you giving?
