Two Life-Changing Letters

 

N-O spells no.  Those two letters, when put together, make up one of the most powerful words in the English language (and many other languages as well!).  Although it is the second smallest word, it is arguably the most powerful.  Tiny but mighty.  Yet it can be one of the most difficult to say - especially when it comes to ministry.

Think about it.  There is almost no ministry opportunities that aren't good.  Sure, some may not interest you because they are outside of your wheelhouse or gifting or interest for that matter.  Those may be easy to say "no" to, but what about the ones that are in your wheelhouse or gifting or interesting to you that you really don't have time for?  What about the ones that will boost your ego a little bit?  The ones that will look good on a resume?  Those are really hard to say "no" to.

I'm guessing by this point, you have had some ministry opportunities presented to you that you need to make a decision on as to whether or not you will participate in.  You also probably have some that you are involved in that need your attention as to whether or not you will continue to participate in.  So, how do you say "no?"

Let me answer that question with a question as Jesus so geniusly did.  What do you have time for?  Realistically, if I had to make an educated guess, you only have time to do up to three ministries well - and that is for those who get paid to do it.  Of course, the less the better.  Let me ask a follow up question.  What have the people around you, who love you, been telling you about how much you are doing?  A great measuring stick is if your wife (for my married friends) has been asking you when you can go on a date.

Don't get me wrong, the intention of this writing is not to get you to never say "yes" again.  Please, by all means, say "yes" to the ministry opportunities that God presents to you that you can do well.  The intent is to get you to get in the habit of saying "no" more regularly so that you can be the best God meant for you to be.  

So, what is stopping you from saying "no" to yet another ministry opportunity today?  Go ahead, try it.  Give a good look in the mirror and say "no."  Then, wisely use that word on the next well-intentioned ministry leader in your church that wants to pass off their ministry on to you.