19 Mar W3 | Just Say No!
REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES
Proverbs 4:25-27 MSG
Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.
Luke 10:41-42 ESV
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
OBJECTIVE
To be excellent we have to always ask whether what we’re doing now will support our purpose, to focus on the things that do, and to be able to say no to things that distract us.
CONTENT
WHAT IS OUR PRIORITY?
- Oftentimes for excellence, God will call us for specific missions. He hasn’t asked us to do everything and cater to everyone and every time.
- As discussed last week, we are all given specific gifts and calling for the glory of God. Hence, we should be able to discern what are the necessary things we should prioritise to support this. Many things can be done but not all are beneficial (1 Cor 10:23).
- When we try to do everything at once, we lose focus, become less effective, and often prone to burn out. Only by saying no and having laser focus can we be excellent and maximized.
- Every choice we make involves a trade-off, we must give up something in order to get something. Whatever we give up is our opportunity cost. In pursuing our calling we have to be able to discern what we are willing to sacrifice and what is our main priority and focus. We are given limitations to our time and energy, it is our part to be able to decide what is essential.
WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND?
- To be excellent we cannot run around like headless chickens, to be effective we need to know the reason behind our motivations; knowing what is the end goal and destination, so that everything we do is purposeful.
- As Christians, our motivation should always be for God. When we put men’s approval or our own ideals as our motivation, it strays us from the will of God to the will of the world. The approval of the world changes with trends and generations, but with God He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8). It is an immovable anchor we can hold on to. We have nothing to prove to God because Jesus had already done it perfectly for us. Our doing is just our response to what Jesus had done for us first.
- When we know why we do what we do and are secure in Christ, we can endure the fear of disappointing others knowing that we can never please everyone and there are things to sacrifice.
- Ability to say no is a form of submission to Christ. When we are secure in our identity, strong sense of self and what Christ wants us to do, we will know our vision and will move in that direction. This helps us to become our full selves because that means we grow into who God intended us to be. Inability to commit to God-given specific purpose reflects lack of clarity and understanding.
WHAT IT TAKES TO SAY NO EFFECTIVELY
- Saying no needs courageous faith because that means we are being responsible with what’s been stewarded to us, to do things intentionally and with purpose. Sometimes it might mean disappointing other people, or hurting our own pride. Yet as children of God, we want to be strategic with the gifts and capacity that are given to us and to focus solely on Him. When we don’t operate by God’s design, we will minimize our impact for good.
- Fragmented focus risks us doing too many things and therefore defeats His initial purpose. Just like targeted exercises will allow muscle formation, so does our focus. Know what is your main focus and reflect back on it every time you make a decision. Is what I’m doing bringing me closer or hindering me from what I’m pursuing? Am I doing this for my own pride or for God?
- Saying no will not come naturally, and it might be confusing at times to discern what is essential from what is not, thus we need to pray for wisdom to be able to know what is essential. For the conviction to pursue it relentlessly and reject things that distract us from our purpose.
- Discerning the focus only comes through constant fellowship, dependence on God and asking for His wisdom daily. Only then we can move in such a way that’s advised by God, because the times we are able to carry excellently, is when our strength has been supplied by Him and not based on our own efforts. The goal should be Christ-likeness, sharing what He longs for. This way the full Spirit-powered transformation can take place in our lives.
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you think is your focus right now? What has been hindering you from it? Analyze, reflect, and be honest about the motivation behind why you did what you did.
- Do you have difficulty saying no? If yes, share why and how you would go forward about it after reading this article. If not, how do you discern what you say no and yes to and what are the thoughts behind it.
- Discuss with other believers the times you were able to focus on your mission. Do you find that when you involve God as the primary advisor of your mission, your pursuit of excellence becomes not only possible but sustained? How so?
REFERENCES