Hope Is AliveSample

"Just Say YES!"

Nancy Reagan probably wouldn’t like this devotional. In 1982, while on a tour of elementary schools in Oakland, California, the then-First Lady of the United Sates was approached by a young schoolgirl who asked her what she should do if she was offered drugs. The first lady responded by saying, "Just say no." Powerful, huh? Whew… I bet the little girl never ever did drugs… the end.  

Somehow, I doubt it. I bet she nodded and ran off to continue recess with very little consideration of the phrase.  The slogan “Just Say No,” as catchy as it may be and as helpful as I am sure it is to give young people a quick retort, comes across negative and empty. There is no real action in it, and as we’ve discussed so far, we need action to stay sober. We need deliberate steps to change our lives.  

So it’s time to claim responsibility and just say YES! You never know what lies on the other side of a YES! New opportunities could be waiting for you, new strengths could be found, and by taking on new and challenging experiences, you will gain momentum to keep your hope alive. Over the next several months, as you meet with your Hope Partners, I challenge you to say YES to whatever they ask you to do. You’ve chosen these people, and they’ve accepted this challenge, so trust them and trust the process. Here are some YESes to get you started. The next time these opportunities come, you’ll know what to say.

▪ YES – I will take on a leadership position in my recovery group or clubhouse.

▪ YES – I will share when I am called on tonight.

▪ YES – I will give to my church.

▪ YES – I will forgive a family member who really hurt me.

▪ YES – I will stick with my routine that keeps me balanced.

▪ YES – I will reach out to that friend who I know is hurting.

▪ YES – I will find the Hope Partners I know I need in my life.

▪ YES – I will go make the amends my sponsor has been asking me to make.

▪ YES – I will pray for others.

▪ YES – I will do the next right thing.  

Just say YES! 

There’s a story about Jesus in the book of John that shows the power of saying YES!  it describes a perfect just say YES moment. The setting was a wedding reception at a city called Cana of Galilee. The host had run out of wine to serve. So, when the servants came to Mary the mother of Jesus with this dilemma, she instantly looked at her son with that “I need you to do something about this” look. I can only imagine Jesus’ reaction. He knew exactly what she wanted Him to do and He also knew what he was capable of doing it. But He didn’t feel quite ready yet. Maybe He was nervous; a little scared even. Feelings us addicts can really relate to. 

Whatever it was, you can tell by His response that he wasn’t initially willing to say yes. I would guess that there was a bit of a pause as Mary looked at her son. She believed in Him, even more so: she needed Him. After a few seconds, I can see Jesus nodding to his mother affirming her request. Saying YES, even for Jesus, was hard. But He did it. 

At the moment, His headed nodded, I bet Mary quickly turned to the servants and uttered that line: “Do whatever he tells you to do.” Indeed, obedience was the order of the day. The servants said YES and did whatever Jesus asked them to do the rest of the afternoon. The miracle would soon follow, thus initiating Jesus’ public ministry.  When you say YES to God you are saying YES to obedience. When you say YES to God’s plan for your life, you will better be able to say YES to others. My grandfather used to say, “God has a plan for every man, and a grace for every race.”

Say YES!