Before we start with “Always Say Yes,” I want to tell you about an Easter devotional – FREE – to use this week. This tool gives you 2 pages for each day that feature:
- First, a “Brief Focus” with reflective thoughts.
- Second, a “Fun Activity” for each day.
- Third, a “Teaching Point” that blends those two sections into practical action points for your life.
If you follow us on your favorite podcast app, you’ll get the audio episodes of the same content in your feed. So, you can have a visual and audio version to Prepare For Easter.
Click here to get your free copy.
A Garden At Easter
Now – picture a garden. A beautiful one. Secluded. Yet, welcoming.
Jesus spent time in a garden often. Relaxing and safe. Sadly, a garden is also where He was arrested. A place that should have been nurturing, uplifting, renewing, and encouraging. Tragically, a garden became the place of His betrayal.
At Easter, this is a story we want to remember. And because of this garden, we absolutely must get in the habit to always say “yes.”
Always Say “Yes“
Have you ever received an invitation you were truly excited about? You look forward with great anticipation, mark the calendar, think about details like apparel, gifts, camera, and even parking! You tell others about your coming opportunity. In such a scenario, you always say “yes” to the invitation. Not only great memories to be made. Also, knowing your special event nurtures you deep inside. Equally, you try to be a blessing to others as you say “yes” to your invitation.
Frankly, there are many life situations that may not intuitively look inviting. However, because God goes before you and invites you into the future – and because He is good – you can always say “yes” to His invitations.
I’m sure you’ve realized, much of life is out of your control. Nevertheless, and perhaps oddly to human thinking, God gives you ability to manage what comes your way. Subsequently, this enables you to always say “yes” to Him.
Have you considered you have an invitation from God every day? Actually, “today” is a good day to start to always say “yes” to Him.
We must remember what happened in a garden long ago. Easter is a good time to do this. And we should always say “yes” to God’s invitations.
Train Yourself To Say “Yes“
Remarkably, God’s invitation is progressive –
- Forgiveness. (leads to)
- Freedom.
- Fellowship with God.
- Partnership in God’s plans.
- Eternal life.
It’s a wonderful, progressive invitation to say “yes” to.
These provisions open a door to learning each day. Inevitably, living becomes more meaningful – which also turns into a lifestyle of leading and loving.
I can’t think of a better way to make Easter real each day than to embrace these 4 L’s. In fact, they enhance your life – and the lives of others around you. Interestingly, these 4 L’s are His design for every person.
Rarely, do most of us get to start each day in a beautiful garden. Regardless, wherever you start your day, it can become a place where you learn about God and how to love Him more. Plus, it’s a place you can then launch into living. Hopefully, you will also pour into others by leading and loving them. So, wherever you start your day, let it be with God – and let it be a place where you always say “yes” to Him.
In addition to Easter, every day is a good time to remember “the garden.” Simultaneously, you can choose to learn, live, lead, and love to partner with God!
The 4 “L’s” That Help You Say “Yes“
After nestling into a close relationship with God, you notice yourself responding differently. Knowing and loving God becomes deeply important. Plus, His grace, promises, and principles become so practical to every issue each day.
Learning
Evidently, learning is central in God’s thinking. Even Jesus submitted to a life of learning while He was on earth.
Equally, God intends people to learn from Him and from each other. His Spirit lives inside you to direct your life explorations and decisions. Of course, you learn from family, friends, teachers, and career comrades. Also, you learn from what happens in the world.
The most important learning you can ever receive is from God. Truly, He wants to teach you His ways and how to engage His power in your life. Most special, God wants you to enjoy His friendship.
Embracing learning opens a door to relationship with Jesus. Plus, it’s a path into life-long learning. What an invitation! Do you accept?
Living
Interestingly, the simple act of daily living becomes your most effective way to say “yes” to God. Afterall, actions speak louder than words, and love is proved by deeds as you live. Jas. 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Then, Jn. 14:23 says, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.”
Scripture becomes real as you live it out. Also, accepting God’s invitation means practicing His character as you live in it. He nurtures your heart when you respond to His invitation in daily scenarios.
Subsequently, living open doors to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Plus, you can share this option with others. Do you accept?
Leading And Loving
Remarkably, when you invest in learning and living, two additional qualities make life rich: leading and loving.
Leading and loving means –
Doing good.- Managing personal weariness.
- Sowing seeds for future harvests God desires.
- Investing in others because that’s what God does.
- Engaging in deliberate thought, prayer, and strategies.
- Applying time, sacrifice, patience – and perhaps even suffering.
Leading and loving display the power of God invested into the world. Subsequently, how are you investing in the world?
- What kinds of things are you doing to lead others to Jesus?
- Does your leading include personal, credible example?
- How are you loving people – some of them unlovable?
- Do you provide for needs others have in practical ways?
- Equally, do you love yourself in a way that enables you to love others better? (Mk. 12:31)
This world needs loving leadership. Do you accept this invitation?
A Very Hard Garden Conversation
As already stated, Jesus proactively heads for the cross. His mind is made up after His desperate conversation with Father in the garden that night! Quite literally, He had pleaded for His life with God, the Father. Yes, Jesus who was born for the very purpose of becoming the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, pleaded with God. (Jn. 1:29)
With tears – and drops of blood – Jesus literally begged God to consider if there’s any other way to accomplish the Great Plan. After each plea, He resolved – “Not My Will, but Your Will be done.” Incredible, surrender! In all history, no one ever matched dying to self like Jesus in His very painful garden conversation.
And from this garden, from this hard conversation, from a resolved and powerful Redeemer – you and I have eternal life and forgiveness of sins.
Yes, at Easter, it’s good to remember what happened in that garden – and what really matters.
Garden Turned Gethsemane
We began this content in a garden. Now, it’s time to remember how Christ’s beloved garden became a place of betrayal.
Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him. (Jn. 18:4) After the arresting mob entered the garden, it was actually Jesus who began the action of the arrest (again, v. 4). Remarkably, He is pro-active to the very end as He pursues the cross. After the arresting crowd identifies they want “Jesus of Nazareth,” He simply says, “I am He.” Actually, according to a footnote in my Bible, Jesus really says – “I Am!”
God’s Powerful Name
Then, what happens immediately is incredible. Jn. 18:6b says, “. . . they retreated and fell to the ground” when they heard Jesus identify Himself. Interestingly, the word “retreated” in another footnote means more like – “moved back very fast.” What’s in this name – I Am – that caused soldiers to fall back – down on the ground?!
So powerful is God’s name! Stunningly, Jn. 18:6 provides an amazing visual. By the way, the arresting crowd was so overcome, Jesus had to “re-start” the arresting process again. So, He asks them again, “Who are you looking for?” (Jn. 18: 7) In other words, He’s headed to the cross with a steel will to get this assignment done and accomplish His life purpose.
Again, the arresting crowd identifies “Jesus of Nazareth.” At this point, I find it both fascinating and creative. Jesus says, “I told you that I Am He. If you are looking for Me, then let these men go.” (Jn. 18:8a) Doesn’t that grab your attention? Yet, there’s another deeper message.
Remarkably, Jesus proves His compassion for His disciples. “Let My friends go free. I’m taking their (and your) blame, their (and your) punishment, and all the consequences that keep them (and you) in bondage. Leave them alone. It’s Me you want. In fact, it’s Me you need!” (my paraphrase – Jn. 18:8)
Before we get to the application points –
Application Thoughts And Questions
- Do you have a special garden you like to spend time in? Why do you like this garden?
- When you’re in your garden, reflect on what Christ did for you, starting in His garden.
- How can you apply learning to your living this week?
- What loving thing can you do today to help someone else?
- How can you provide leadership to others?
- Why not always say “yes” to God?
On behalf of Alive and Active Life, I wish you a wonderful Easter celebration!
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