“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” -Titus 2:11-14

Jesus speaks truth to power. Jesus speaks truth to his disciples. Hear this: there isn’t anyone Jesus didn’t disappoint. If you want to live a life like Jesus, you’re going to disappoint people;  you can’t please the Lord and please people at the same time. Pleasing people is not the same as loving people. There’s a big difference. In order to do what God has called you to do, you’re going to have to say no sometimes. You’ll have to say no to things that are good, no to opportunities, no to things that are noble, and no to things that are an honor to you. You may have to say no in order to say yes to your highest calling: the one from God.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to say no to things. Sometimes even to the good things.

REFLECTION: Have you had to say no to something good recently?