As we enter into the second quarter of 2019, I have been thinking what I can do differently this year so I canhaveanew outlook and fresh experiences. I also reflected on the past years and thought of the things I would or could have done.
My conclusion is that if I want to have an abundant year, I need to start saying yes to possibilities and opportunities instead of just thinking about it.
Some might wonder, what are the risks of saying yes? It could be failures or not knowing why we said yes or not knowing how to progress even after saying yes. But by saying yes, we are getting prepared for the door of opportunities to open wide. With that, we are definitely opening up the gate of personal growth too.
In the Bible, Moses said yes and he stepped into his calling to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. Joseph said yes and he became second to the Pharaoh in a foreign land. Gideon said yes and he saved the people of Israel from the Midianites. These people did not know what was going to happen after saying yes, but as they did, they were getting ready to receive the blessings on the opposite side of yes.
My yes
Personally in my life, I have said yes to many opportunities, and have not dared to say yes to many as well. One of which I said yes to was to leading a women’s bible study group, and I have seen women yearning more for God, and finding out their purpose and how they can be wiser in life.
I have said yes to trying out different jobs and have learnt and seen how God had taught me different skills and moulded me as a person. I also said yes to writing blog articles and have since received many positive feedbacks that I should keep expounding on my gift.
Currently, I am still searching for new opportunities I can say yes to. With the above opportunities I said yes to, I had learnt to take more risks and put in more thoughts to explore more possibilities in my life. Saying yes is not as easy as how the word is spelt, it requires courage and faith to believe we could succeed even when we do not yet see the possibilities.
At times when I did not say yes, I saw opportunities slipped past me and onto someone else who had a willing heart. The feeling was not great because I knew God had given me an opportunity to learn, grow and do what He wanted me to but I did not seize it.
Benefits of saying yes
I have identified a few benefits about saying yes to the possibilities and opportunities presented in my life:
1. I could be adding value to someone’s life.
2. I could be making a difference.
3. I could be stepping into God’s purpose for me.
4. I could succeed in pursuing my dreams.
5. I could become the person I always want to be.
While we are all unique in our own ways and have been gifted with talents that God has intended us to have, we have also been presented with opportunities which we can use God’s wisdom to identify if they are what we should pursue.
Perceptions
John Maxwell quotes, “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”
How we view things also determine how we do things. I believe when we hesitate to say yes to the presented opportunities, it is because of how we perceive ourselves. Let us start by viewing the opportunities differently from how we usually do.
Many of us do not believe in our own abilities, we constantly require affirmation by others that we are capable. Receiving affirmations are definitely uplifting, and I also believe that we can be secure in God, knowing that He has already affirmed us before we are born.
Before we say yes, He already knows we can accomplish. All we need is to step out of our comfort zone and pluck up the courage to say yes. Once we start saying yes, we will realise there is really nothing we cannot achieve with God.
I know this might make some people uncomfortable, or encourage some to start thinking of the opportunities that they have currently put on hold because of fear and doubt. My heart is really for everyone to step into their purpose, and not be afraid to take risks.
Life only happens once.We really want to make the best out of it and not regret when we reach the final stages of our lives. God bless.
Amy Ching enjoys fellowship with people and seeing their lives changed because of Jesus. Her passion is to influence others and speak into their lives. She loves spending time with family and friends and would love a good meal on top of the fellowship. She enjoys travelling and would love to travel all the time if she can. If you want to know more about her, check out her instagram account @chingamy, where she posts about life, her revelations, and hopes to inspire.