Say Yes to the Best
by Diana C. Derringer
(Mark 1:38, NIV).
The smiling bride-to-be held a dress bag and a sign reading, I said yes to the dress. She had shopped and tried on wedding dresses until she found the perfect one—the dress of her dreams. Her picture proclaims to the world she chose the best.
Jesus taught and lived the importance of saying yes to the best, but he was not referring to clothing or a social event. He lived the perfect life, shared God’s perfect love, and offered his perfect salvation. Yet many misunderstood. They wanted Jesus to meet their less-than-the-best expectations.
While in Capernaum, Jesus taught in the synagogue, cast out demons, and healed the sick. When he withdrew to pray the next morning, Simon and others searched for him. Although they expected Jesus to continue his ministry there, Jesus announced his plan to move on. He came not for one group of people, but for all. Others needed to hear his message and give their lives to him.
As Jesus’ followers, we cannot say yes to every opportunity we encounter. Rather, we do well to follow his example and draw away for prayer to seek God’s plan for our lives.
The writer’s role expands our opportunities to share the message of eternal hope and peace. However, we often churn out material for the same publications over and over when God may tell us to move on to something better. Another publisher? Another genre? A non-paying market? Local ministry needs? Missions outreach?
We may also find ourselves unsure where to turn when a resource that has published our work for years closes. Once we get over the initial shock and despair, God may lead us to consider other areas of ministry—bigger, better, or not.
Daily we choose between our personal agendas or God’s perfect plan.
Dear God, grant us your perfect guidance in order to always say yes to your best.
* Reprint rights are offered. An abbreviated version appeared in The Gem 4-26-20.
Diana Derringer, a former social worker and adjunct professor, is an award-winning writer and author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! Her articles, devotions, dramas, planning guides, Bible studies, and poems appear in over 40 publications. Her radio dramas for Christ to the World Ministries broadcast into several countries. Visit her at dianaderringer.com.
This was great. Thank you!
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Amanda. Blessings.
This article is excellent and a timely word for me. Thank you for saying “yes to the best.”
Thank you, Dave. I’m so glad it spoke to you. I pray you find and follow God’s best in all your future endeavors.