A Well Placed ‘No’
I really thought I was done with this verse, but I found out I wasn't. I mean, how much can you say when it comes to yes and no? We are given a choice, and it IS our choice. It is okay to say 'no'! I don't know why that is so hard, but it is.
We will say no by saying a sort of yes. It's our polite way of saying 'no' by using a noncommittal 'yes.' In other words, we lie. That sounds harsh, but it's the truth.
One of the health issues I face is chronic fatigue. I don't like it and don't want it, but the reality is, it's the proverbial elephant in the room. I play on our worship team at church and we are doing periodic worship throughout the summer. I let our worship leader know I wouldn't be there. I wanted to be there but knew I just couldn't. I said 'no' when I really wanted to say 'yes'. I wasn't about to leave some false hope hanging out there. Our worship leader appreciated the honesty, and it let her know what direction to go. It made things so much easier all the way around by using a well-placed and appropriate 'no.'
By Rick “Papa” Wilson