Say Yes When Life Says NoSýnishorn

When I was in sixth grade, my teacher told me that if I ever did manage to graduate from high school, I would end up in jail. Her words cut to the core of my soul. I was twelve years old—old enough to understand that my teacher had concluded I had no meaningful future beyond my high school years. It was clear to me that my family’s race, our income, and my behavioral flaws had combined to cause my teacher to believe there was a huge no awaiting me. She had prejudged me in a way that could have caused me to give up on my future.

I didn’t believe her, though.

There were too many people in my life who taught me to believe in myself, my gifts, and the God who made me. That was the very same year I started my career in public speaking. I was drafted to give the welcome address for a program at our church. At the same time that she tried to give me a no, I saw the yes that would lead me to becoming a public speaker for a living.

My saying yes when my teacher said no meant that I was determined to prove her wrong. Rather than being intimidated or demoralized by her words, I allowed them to motivate me for the rest of my life. Mr. Blind Man had the same challenge.

The disciples believed that someone had sinned, which resulted in Mr. Blind Man’s unfortunate lot in life (John 9:2). Jesus let them know that this man’s blindness existed for God’s glory (vs. 3). Jesus’ notice of our position redirects our lives with dignity and value, just as it did for Mr. Blind Man.

• We look beyond the reality of our current circumstances. Our gaze is fixed on Jesus.

• We take inventory of what we have so that we don’t become overwhelmed by what we don’t have.

• We expect new possibilities despite the reality of existing problems. Our possibilities outnumber our problems. Always.

• We don’t wait for others to notice or accept us before saying yes to any of life’s nos. Other’s affirmation of who we are and what we do feels good and is encouraging, but we  cannot wait for others to notice us before we get started with a yes lifestyle.

How have you experienced rejection? Do you believe God loves you?