what would it take for you to say, “yes?”
Some people, honestly all of us at some point, have trouble saying “Yes” to new endeavors.
My family traveled to British Columbia on vacation to celebrate my doctoral graduation many years ago. It was a meaningful trip on several levels. Perhaps the most memorable part of the excursion was that my mother accompanied us on this trip. Mom was suffering from Ovarian cancer which would take her life within a few months. She always wanted me to be a medical doctor, but she gladly settled to watch her son receive this honor. It was an honor to enjoy her presence at this moment.
We traveled to the famous Whistler/Blackcomb ski resort high in the Canadian Rockies. The entire journey was picture-perfect. Everything was snow-covered and beautiful as a National Geographic gallery. We rented a cozy condo with an outdoor hot tub where the kids could sit in the cold, snowy weather and have fun. The resort was simply gorgeous, and Gail and I were chomping at the bit to hit the slopes. It should be noted that my wife was a much better snow skier than me. She gracefully slid down a hill while I resembled an out-of-control moose on skis.
Blackcomb ski mountain has the highest vertical slopes in North America, which puffed up my pride when I could weave tales to my grandchildren of how I conquered such a behemoth. NOT! I was scared to death to go to the top, but Gail wanted to take on the challenge. There was no way my wife would outdo this manly man, so after much deliberation, I agreed to ski down from the top, which was several miles.
We came to the starting point after four long chair lift rides and a several hundred-yard trek uphill in deep snow carrying skis and poles. I there discovered a problem. I could not see how the hill descended because the near-vertical slope obscured the actual route. There was good reason for this phenomenon since the first several hundred yards plummeted into Blackcomb Glacier, which resembled an enormous bowl of vanilla ice cream. People at the bottom resembled ants, and the only way I could see them was to creep my skis over the edge of the hill to look down. “Oh crap! What have I done?!” But there was no turning back, and Gail had already taken off like a rocket to nearly vanish from sight as she descended deeper and deeper into the ancient ice.
Why had I ever agreed to this foolishness? Why did I say “yes” to try something beyond my experience and probably ability? It was too late to reason, and I was void of options, so I finally edged over the side, and then, woe! In seconds I was flying at breakneck speed with arms flailing and a trail of snow obscuring the vision of anyone so unfortunate to follow me. But miracle of miracles, I stayed up! I weaved back and forth across the hill, trying to stay in at least semi-control until I reached the bottom to greet my wife, who was doubled over laughing. How dare she!
We had only completed the first few hundred yards of the several-mile slope, most of which was narrow and curvy. Worse yet, you absolutely did not want to go off the side because it was a long, long way down. The only solace was that if you did go off, you would hit a large tree long before you hit bottom.
After catching my breath and laughing with Gail for several minutes, we embarked on the rest of the journey, taking us through a couple of climate zones from powdery fluff to wet, hard-to-navigate terrain. I bid my wife adieu, and she easily swished quickly out of sight while I slowly, painfully navigated the trail until an hour or so later when I approached the bottom. I had not fallen once! Take that Blackcomb! That was until I came within about one hundred feet of the crowd gathered at the lift, where I promptly fell on my face to the delight of fellow slope goers and arose covered with snow and embarrassment on my face. Hey, I’ll take it.
I will never forget the day I skied Blackcomb Glacier with my wife. I am so glad I said “yes” to her pleas because my yes meant the adventure of a lifetime of skiing.
Yesterday, I was listening to a streaming presentation by the famous co-author, Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup book series fame, when he asked, “What would have to happen for you to say, “Yes?” Good question, I think.
We all experience thousands of life challenges, some with significant consequences, depending upon our thumbs up or thumbs down decision. While there are plenty of times when “No” is the best answer, there are many others, some very scary, that would enrich our lives with a “Yes,” even if it is timid. A “Yes” to Blackcomb Glacier was not life-altering in the grand scheme of things, yet it was deeply meaningful.
Too many “Nos’” and you will awaken one day to regrets. Several studies with aging adults reveal they rarely regretted things they did. The common rationale is that “Those experiences made me who I am.” They often lament moments when opportunity knocked, and they closed the door. Generally speaking, there were events, opportunities, experiences, and so on to which they wish they had said, “Yes.”
Enough about winter; it's spring, for Pete’s sake. We will soon celebrate the most profound and consequential “Yes” ever made. Jesus agreed to divest his privileged status and take on lowly human flesh. He kept saying yes, counter to all opposition, travail, and misunderstanding. The Servant emptied himself of glory and power to serve those he loved, all the way to death. He said “Yes” to the cross. But his decision turned upside down three days after they put him in the ground, and he walked out of a dark place. The Father said, “Yes,” the Spirit did his thing, and life erupted from death. “Yes” is a powerful word.
I was twelve years old when I made the most momentous “Yes” of my life. I sat in my customary mischievous back pew of the beautiful A-framed sanctuary with gorgeous walnut beams and stained glass, which framed the choir from ground to peak. Lanis preached his message, and I had not gotten into trouble even once. The organ began to play, accompanied by the grand piano, and the preacher presented his invitation to accept Jesus. To everyone's surprise, Donnie arose from the back row and walked to the front of the room in front of 500 or so people. I stood there alone, the only one to come forward this service, and Lanis asked me why I had walked the long aisle. I told him that I wanted to make Jesus the Lord of my life and the Savior of my soul, and I wanted to be baptized. With that beautiful, kind, gracious smile, he asked me to make the good confession of faith which I did. We immediately went to the preparation rooms, and within a few minutes, Donnie Hamilton was a new man. I said “Yes” to Jesus, and I have never once regretted it.
What would have to happen for you to say “yes?” God’s gracious and kind invitation still stands, and his ability to come alongside you for the rest of this life and into eternity remains.
Perhaps your “Yes/No” question is not quite so consequential right now. “Do I take a chance on love again?” “Is this the right job for me?” “Is it time to change careers?” “Do I want to go into that much debt?” “Will I take the vacation I’ve always wanted?” “Will I travel abroad to server those in need even for a short while?” “Can I afford to give that much money to God’s work?”
These and many others are big questions we all face in life. “No” is sometimes the correct answer but don’t end up 85 years old regretting the “Yeses” you wish you had made.
What would have to happen for you to say “Yes?”
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
May you enjoy the wonder and beauty of God’s love and power exhibited through his Son. Happy Easter!
