Yes.
It is a one syllable word. And yet, it is one that can be so difficult to spit out at times.
In spite of the fact that it, phonetically, is a simple word, the reality is that "yes" is a complex word due to the implications that stem from its use. Saying yes often times means making a commitment, agreeing with/to something, taking action, or even giving someone else the reigns.
It's counterpart, "no," however, typically suggests refusal to do something/go somewhere, disagreement, and maintaining control. Basically, saying no tends to mean getting to stay put and do whatever the heck you want. Is it any wonder that "no" becomes one of a child's first words?!
Currently, I do a fair amount of hanging out with a one year old little girl. Nearly anything that I ask her receives the response of "no." Even if the question is not a yes or no question, the answer still ends up being no a lot of the time. Go figure. I started to think that perhaps she just hasn't learned to say the word "yes" yet so I set about trying to teach it to her a few weeks ago. After going down the "repeat after me" road, I quickly ascertained that she does in fact know how to say yes, and even knows it's meaning. . . she just chooses to not use it.
How often in life do we act as if we don't know the word yes? How often do we say no at all costs -- staying right where we are because it's safe, it's comfortable, it's controllable; holding tight to our plans, thoughts, and opinions without entertaining the idea of allowing the uniqueness of someone else or other plans to broaden our horizons; more importantly, how often do we say no to God, thinking that we both know ourselves and our plan for our lives better than He does?
I'm guilty of all of the above, more often than not.
Acknowledging that I know the word yes means acknowledging that I choose to not use it, that I choose to remain complacent, and stubborn, and close-minded, and even fearful.
Interestingly enough though, while spending time with my little friend the other day, I noticed that she had started to give "okay" as her response every now and then. Not fully committed to saying yes, and, in essence, not fully committed to committing to whatever she was saying okay to, but, she was at least open to taking that first shaky step out.
Since that first day that "okay" first popped into our conversations, she has used it more and more frequently, and, I have seen her grow more courageous and deliberate in her actions, more sure of herself and more sure of me and our relationship.
You see, while saying "yes" can [mistakenly] feel like we'll lose ourselves, it's quite the opposite, it allows us to learn more about ourselves and see things in a different, clearer light; it allows us to become more relational with others and allows us to truly experience life; but, most importantly, it allows us to partner with God and fully experience Him and what He has planned for us so that we might fully live.
And, you know what, it's alright if we just start with the first shaky step of saying okay. Okay, after okay, leads to growth that leads to surer footing, which leads to being able to say yes more assuredly and excitedly. And saying yes? Saying yes means opening yourself up to a vast world of wonder and relationship, opening yourself up to life.
Live.
Say yes.
