YOUR "YES."

Look at Abraham. He said absolutely "yes" when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, his second-born son. It's one of the most famous "yes's" in the Bible. But before Abraham gave that 100% "yes" to God, Abraham was more attached to his oldest son, Ishmael.

"10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!” 11 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. 12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted." Genesis 21:10-12

Abraham found himself in a position where we often find ourselves toady. He wanted to hold on to something that God was clearly asking him to surrender. After his elderly wife gave birth to their God-promised son, Abraham kept holding onto Ishmael. Ishmael -- the child that was a direct result of both Sarah and Abraham not waiting on the promise of God. Neither gave their full “yes” in the waiting. They took it into their own hands because it didn’t happen in their timing, and God’s promise seemed impossible. Ishmael was a product of their unbelief. Instead of waiting on God, they manipulated their “yes” —they made things happen with their own agenda in mind instead of waiting in obedience to find out what God had in store. But even spite of this, God's promise did not return void.

I am guilty of doing the same. I am guilty of hearing what God wants me to do and trying to do my version of it because what He wants seems impossible or the timing isn’t what I prefer. But the breakthrough in your relationship with God is worth whatever He is asking you to do. The refining in your waiting is often just as precious as the promise He will fulfill.

Holy Spirit asked me to give up alcohol a few years ago. I negotiated with God, thinking this task seemed silly and, frankly, impossible for me not to drink at social gatherings. I told Holy Spirit, "I'll just limit myself to two drinks when I occasionally drink. Is that good enough?" Is my version of 'yes' enough? The answer was met with silence, followed by Holy Spirit asking me the same question again a month later, over and over, for two years. Drinking held a piece of my heart.

Once I finally gave my full "yes", everything about my walk with God changed. I started hearing Holy Spirit's voice constantly. My need to be in the presence of God grew to be like the need to eat and drink. My "yes" without negotiating has become the most significant turning point of my life.

I realized God never asks you to give anything up because He wants you to suffer. For Abraham, God didn’t ask him to give up Ishmael because He wanted Abraham to suffer or because He didn’t love Ishmael; He wanted Abrahams’ whole heart. He wants your whole heart.

In order for God to have your whole heart, He will ask you to give something that costs you. But to place what you have in the hands of the Father is the safest place it could ever be. And the reward waiting on the other side of your "yes" is a greater, deeper relationship with God, your Father. It’s the pleasure of hearing more closely the whisper of Holy Spirit—just like Abraham did when God asked him to surrender his other son, Isaac. We serve a good God who can use anything for our good, and His promises will not return void if we choose to say “yes”. Abraham learned how vital his “yes” was. And now that is now what I want. I want to hear the voice of Holy Spirit, my guide. My Advocate. I want to hear His voice and say absolutely, "yes."

He doesn't want our negotiating, suggestions, or workarounds. He wants our entire heart. He wants our "yes."