In last week’s blog, I talked about living with a standing Yes to Jesus—a heart that says, “Lord, whatever You ask, the answer is already yes.” But today I want to explore an important truth that goes alongside that. Saying yes to Jesus doesn’t mean saying yes to everyone and everything. In fact, sometimes your yes to God will require a no to others.
We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. The pace of life never stops—work, family, ministry, social obligations—it all piles up. And especially for those of us who want to serve Jesus, there’s a temptation to say yes to every need that comes our way. We assume that faithfulness means constant availability. But the reality is, we were not created to live without limits. God, in His wisdom, actually commands us to rest—not just as a suggestion, but as a rhythm woven into creation. Sabbath rest isn’t laziness; it’s obedience.
Even Jesus, the Son of God, modeled this for us. In Mark 1:35-38, we read: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’”
After a long night of healing the sick and casting out demons, Jesus withdrew early in the morning to a quiet place to pray. His disciples came looking for Him, saying, “Everyone is looking for you!” But Jesus didn’t rush back to the crowd. Instead, He said it was time to move on to the next town—because that’s what the Father had called Him to do. Jesus was not driven by demands or expectations. He was led by the Father’s voice. That’s what made His yes so powerful—He knew when to say no.
When we say yes to every request, we risk burning out, growing resentful, and doing things in our own strength. But when we take the time to seek God’s direction—through prayer, rest, and solitude—He helps us discern His voice and His plan for us. He reminds us that we are not the Savior: He is. Our job is not to meet every need, but to be faithful to the ones He calls us to.
There may be times when someone asks for our time, our help, or our energy—and the Spirit will nudge us to say no. Not out of selfishness, but out of obedience. Us saying no may create an opportunity for someone else to step in help.
My prayer for all of us is this: As we live with a standing yes to Jesus, may we also develop a listening heart—a heart that takes time to be still, to rest, and to seek His voice. May we trust that God will guide us—not only into what we’re supposed to do, but also away from what we’re not. And may we remember that even Jesus pulled away from the crowd, not because He didn’t care—but because He cared too much to run ahead of the Father’s will.
Let’s keep saying yes to Jesus—and trust Him to show us when it’s okay, and even necessary, to say no.
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