Be Willing To Say Yes

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. – Hebrews 11:7

When I was in seminary, we had something called Missionary Preparation Week. At the end of the week, students were given an opportunity to surrender their lives to full-time missionary work.

I was working on my master’s degree at the time. I didn’t attend the first year because I didn't want God to call me to be a missionary. I had the mentality that if I said “Yes” to God about being a missionary, He would send me to Africa, and I would die in a Pygmy mud hut on a dirt floor. That wasn't my plan. Therefore, I stayed away. That is one reason why people stay away from church; they don't want to hear what God has to say to them.

The second year, I went to Missionary Preparation Week. I had already surrendered to ministry, but I was saying, “God, I will serve you, but don't ask me to go there. I went to every service, and I knew they would give an invitation on the last day.

As we stood and they began to sing the invitation hymn, they were calling men and women to surrender to full-time Christian ministry in a foreign mission field.

I held on to the back of the seat in front of me with white-knuckle intensity. I was doing war with God. I said, “No, no!” But then, in the middle of that prayer, God broke my heart, and I said, “Lord, I will go. If that's what you want for my life, okay. If you call me to be a missionary, I will do the best I can. I'll give you everything. I'm ready to walk down the aisle and commit to being a missionary.”


I took my hands off the seat in front of me, and I let go. As I was getting ready to walk down the aisle, the Holy Spirit whispered in my heart, “Son, I don't want you to be a foreign missionary, but I want you to be willing to be one.”
I don't know what God has for you, but I know this. He wants you to be obedient to go wherever and do whatever He has in store for you. If you will say “Yes” to Jesus, your life will be full of peace and confidence. I don't know what God's plan is for your life but take your hands off your life. Say “No” to the world and “Yes” to Jesus.
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3 Comments


Brenda - December 1st, 2024 at 6:14am

Not my will..but God's will for me!

Betty Jane Laughlin - December 1st, 2024 at 7:33am

I have given my all to Jesus. I have obeyed what He has asked of me. I am His

Rosemary Duitsman - December 1st, 2024 at 10:26am

Stephen, I think, was the greatest followers of our Lord. He had a crushing death yet forgave. You had a blessed Jonah moment . Praying for you!

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