My friend Greg called me this morning. He has an interest in several businesses. He has a lovely wife and three charming kids. He is also involved in ministry. Because of his wisdom and influence he is continually asked to serve on various boards for charities and ministries. Like me, it's hard for him to say "No". I think of the song in the musical Oklahoma, "I Can't Say No". I was in the fifth grade, at a U. S. Army base in Germany base when I first enjoyed Rodgers and Hammerstein's production. I believe my friend Terri Casteel belted out that song.
The enemy wants you to feel guilty when you say "No" to anyone about anything. The truth is, the more you say "Yes" to people around you, the less productive you become. The key to success in life is focus; focusing your thoughts, words, actions and time on the right things.
My two year old son AJ loves balls. Footballs, baseballs, basketballs, soccerballs, rubberballs, beanbag-balls. For fun sometimes I will go in his play room and give him a rubber baseball. I'll hide all other balls. His entire focus and attention will be on that one ball and he will not let go of it. Then I'll pull out a yellow tennis ball. He wants it also. He now has a ball in each hand. I slowly pull out different balls. He wants to hold all of them and begins to get upset. He becomes frustrated with all of the choices and starts kicking them all around the room.
"No" is one of the most powerful words you posess. It allows you to choose "best" over "good". Do you feel like you are on life's treadmill with the speed set on nine and the incline set on seven? Start saying "No" and get some margin back in your life. Margin is that place where you hear God's voice and begin to really see the people around you.
People will get irritated at your "No's", so you may want to practice. Go ahead: NO. NO. NO. NO.
Who do you need to say "No" to today?
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