Yes or No? Which Way to Go?

                                                                     

Okay, folks. It's been a solid two months. How's it going with your word? You know the word. The one you chose in January to dictate your year. The one you've been living out and focusing on for a solid two months... 

This is a big deal. Hopefully your word's zeal hasn't lost its appeal. Do I still feel my word? My word is "deep."

I've been asked. I've been challenged. I've been called to go "deep." Will I say "yes" to this calling? Or will I "just say no"?

For all you youngsters who are too much of a youngster to know, "Just Say No" was our country's campaign in the early 1980's under the leadership of Nancy Reagan. This motto was seen and broadcast from sea to shining sea hoping to motivate school-aged children to better combat the temptation of drugs. It was a simplistic method wanting to confront a complex problem. 

We adult-aged sorts could more use simplistic ways to solve our grown-up problems. At times, I'd be way better off if I "just said no." Like to that extra cookie.  My "yes" to 1 might have been acceptable but that 1st "yes" led to a "yes" to cookie #2 and #3 and sometimes #4. My initial "yes" felt oh so good because they were oh so good. Said cookies were of the smaller size - sort of - so what harm would 1 or 2 do? The harm of my "yes" became way too apparent in the pants I now tightly wear. Houston, we have a problem. Where was Nancy Reagan when I needed her most?!

I'm not proud of my less-than-wise "yes." My "yes" to going deep is way wiser. There are times for "nos" to cookies and times to a best "yes" to a choice even more challenging.  Life is full of daily choices that challenge us of which way to go.

I've been part of the ministry of Samaritan's Purse called Operation Christmas Child for over 5 years. I began working with them as a Floor Manager at the Atlanta Processing Center. This is the true "happiest place on earth." If you have never been to this extraordinary place, I recommend it highly. Your Christmas season will never be the same. Your life may never be the same. As a Floor Manager, I work 6 days a week surrounded by the most servant-minded God-loving people inside one place at one time. We hear story after story of life after life being eternally changed one shoebox at a time. Hearing miracle after miracle, it becomes difficult to not give even more to this wonderful ministry. You want to give more. You are privileged to do more. 

Am I called to do more? To go deeper?

There are more than 19,000 volunteers who are currently privileged to do more by serving  Operation Christmas Child year-round. Over 232 million shoebox gifts have been distributed since 1993 when the ministry began. These gifts have gone to over 170 countries reaching the hardest to reach locations. It takes every one of these 19,000 volunteers devoting year-round effort to make this outcome happen. 

I began my role as Floor Manager five years ago at the same time the Operation Christmas Child South East Office began to see the need to bring representation into Forsyth County, GA. The population growth reaching 200,000 could support this ministry. The people of Forsyth deserved to know the impact they could make reaching children across the globe. Prayer for God's direction and provision for the county began. 

In the meantime, my heart-strings became more tethered to this amazing ministry. I learned story after story of how God uses shoeboxes to do the amazing. One of my most favorite stories is how God allowed and directed a shoebox to be inspected and travel to its divinely-directed destination. This box contained one left shoe that was miraculously gifted to a young boy with only a left leg. It made sense to take the one shoe out and place a new pair inside. That would have destroyed the integrity of this particular box. This blessed boy immediately knew the God of the universe made certain he knew he was seen and valued. Out of the millions of shoeboxes and the millions of miles they all travel, this special box landed in the hands of this special young man. Only God! 

While working for OCC, I'm still living in Gwinnett County, not giving Forsyth County a passing thought. I'm happy where I am. Very happy. Not wanting a change. Definitely not wanting to move. Married to someone who wants a change. Someone who can't wait to move. We change. We move to guess where...Forsyth County.

The move went well. I was one of those year-round volunteers serving on the Gwinnett County Church Relations Team. I was very happy with my team. Very happy with my county. Wanting to stay. Found it harder to stay with my team once I moved an hour away from most events. I protested change. I'll change if I must. I'll join a new team but which one? I live on the edge of the county. So, I have a choice of which team to join. I decide to join the North Atlanta team even when I'm way out on the outskirts.  The need there is greater so I say "yes" to serve in guess where...Forsyth County. 

I explained all that to serve as a reminder to all of us: God is in our details. Even when details begin way back when. 

I am humbled to now reflect God was preparing a way five years ago for what He is calling me to today. This is my optimum time to "just say yes." I nervously and joyfully say "yes" to becoming the OCC Area Coordinator for Forsyth County. I'm tasked with building and training a team of privileged volunteers who get to spread the Good News through this worthwhile ministry. Yes, we get to do this! We are honored to join forces in little 'ole Forsyth County to take the Gospel message to the uttermost parts of the earth. There is not a higher calling or a more worthwhile use of our time.

This will take time. Lots of time. What an honor to know we have the opportunity to say "yes" to impacting countless lives with our time. The number will only be revealed one day in heaven. I have the opportunity, at the ripe age of 65, to know my work / my days can count for something that truly matters. For eternity. 

This job is way bigger than me. Way bigger than I can even begin to handle myself. I only accepted it knowing I don't have to handle it myself. My God's got this already handled. And He chooses to include me? Wow! I'm humbled. I'm grateful. I still have Moses moments grumbling with all the excuses of why it shouldn't be me and asking why it's not someone else. Without having all the answers, I have decided to go deep and "just say yes." There's uncertainty. It's scary. A lot of unknowns.

What is not unknown: God calls. God equips. I must only be willing to take the first step to "just say yes." 

What "yes" scares you? What "no" is hindering you from being all God created you to be? All He's called you to do? We've lived too long and come too far to have regrets by saying "no" when we should say "yes." There's a better way. God's way. 

Just like in the "Just Say No" campaign which brought a simple message. Sometimes the simplest things can make the greatest impact. A simple obedient "yes." The eternal impact of a simple shoebox. 

EVERY 24 HOURS through the ministry of Operation Christmas Child:

31,020 children hear the Gospel message

15,190 children enroll in The Greatest Journey 12 Week Discipleship Program

11,477 children graduate from The Greatest Journey 

8,930 children accept Jesus as their Personal Savior

How did you spend your last 24 hours?

Are you looking to make a difference? We all do. Do you want your life to bring an eternal impact? Hope so. Won't you join me? Please do If you live in Forsyth County, Georgia. If you live elsewhere, consider joining your local team. I'd be honored to connect you with your Area Coordinator for more information. All your available minutes can be multiplied for greater greatness. 

Merely bring your bread and fish and let the Lord be the One to feed the masses.

Are you familiar with the mindset of finding where God is at work and joining Him there? Sounds like the road to an exciting and fruitful life to me!  Together let's witness God be God through us. 

It will be exciting to share God moments at the close of this year as we reflect on going deep into what we are called to do. I must also say that some of you are "deep" into muck and mire of what feels less impactful. The care of a loved one. You wish you could answer a God-call to pour into a ministry. Instead, God has called you to go "deep" in the care of a loved one. That is every bit a ministry. The sacrifice and service feel less impactful and less seen. Know you are seen and your work is very impactful. We have different callings in different seasons. A "yes" for today can be completely different than our "yes" for tomorrow. You are to be commended for saying "yes" to what feels mundane and more like drudgery. Care-giving is no less of a high calling. We all are to not question our calling but walk willingly forward in obedience on whatever road He has paved for us. Roads can be both bumpy and smooth. That's okay as long as we are consistently traveling in the right direction. Our travels will be enhanced if we notice the blessings along the way.

I want to celebrate with you! How about we toast with 1 cookie or 2? Not 3 for me!

Comment below to share where your "yes" is leading you...  

Just Say Yes

or Just Say No

Such a dilemma

Which way to go?