Your “Yes” Impacts the World
Photo by Laura Margarita Cedeno Peralta
When I moved to the United States thirty years ago, I attended a women’s conference where Dr. Ed Silvoso was speaking. He talked about how our past doesn’t define us, and he said that wanting to know the “why” of a situation isn’t as powerful as wanting to know how the situation will help us in the future.
His words still stand out to me: “Don’t ask, ‘Why?’ to God, but ask, ‘What for?’”
Those words overflow with purpose. All of us have gone through beautiful seasons, and all of us have gone through difficult ones. We’ve seen good things come about, and we’ve also experienced loss and hardship.
“Why, God?” doesn’t take us anywhere.
“What for, God?” allows us to walk in the amazing, mysterious, incredible things He set up for us at the beginning of the world. Our purpose. The reason we’re here.
It’s Better Than You Might Think
The apostle Paul talks about the “good works” God prepared for us. Those good works are present and active in your life even if you aren’t exactly sure what they are yet. In some way, all of us are still learning about the good works God has for us:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10 NIV)
When our eyes are on the Lord, not on the regrets of the past, we can ask, “What are You doing, Father? What is the purpose behind what I am experiencing? What is this for? I want what You want on the earth. I want to be like Jesus and do what You have given me to do.”
That’s what makes a person—and a marriage—truly powerful. You and I are here for a reason, something good, and we get to uncover this reason and impact the world around us in a glorious, life-changing way.
There is so much hope here that we don’t have to look at the past and feel shame, nor do we have to look at today’s world and feel afraid. Instead, we get to consider our future and laugh because of Jesus (Prov. 31:25).
The Thing That Changes Cities and Nations
A great marriage doesn’t happen just because two people choose to love each other forever, though (obviously) that’s a good and beneficial thing.
A truly great marriage happens when two people, as singles, find contentment and personal transformation in Jesus. Then when they get married, they know how to love each other well and want God to be a part of their relationship and household.
Their transformation began when they were single; it then spreads naturally to their home and later to the common purpose between them, what they share as a couple.
“We want You, God. We don’t want to do anything without You. So what are You thinking? What are You planning? How are You moving? May we hear Your voice more and more clearly, and may You be able to work inside us and through us the way You want to.”
That’s how cities and nations change.
Your Choices Affect More Than Just You
Danny Silk recently posted the following thoughts on social media:
Every time I have seen a marriage, a family, or a community of people make a change, it is because one person made a decision. One person decided to change their situation and saw something shift for the better in themselves… This one person’s change leads to a marriage getting an upgrade and a family changing their culture. This changed family leads to a company of people committed to changing the course of their family lineage and it transforms a community. Communities being changed leads to cities and nations being impacted because one person said YES.
Life is about choices and the freedom God has given us to make those choices.
Jesus paid a high price so we could experience communion and intimacy with Him and His Father. That intimacy keeps us grounded as believers, especially during times of trial like we’re going through today. We have the freedom to choose that intimacy with Him, and every time we do, it fills our hearts with joy, and it leads to transformation—not just for us but for others too.
When we say “yes” to God’s leading and make Him the chief desire of our hearts, we get to step into the beautiful things He’s prepared for us and our lives. The “what for” that can change everything.
This is not a season for despair or fear. This is the season to ask, “What for, God?” and listen closely to what He says.
Your “Yes” Impacts the World
I encourage you to ask God to give you more and more love for Him, for others, and for yourself. The way the world is going right now, there is only one thing that can change us—the tender love of the Father and the love we demonstrate back to Him.
This love delights our King and makes His heart happy, and as we show our love to Him in our own unique ways, being completely ourselves, we walk in our purpose and help the world realize He loves them too.
“He loves me? But are you sure?”
Yes. His love is real and it’s true, and your purpose is beautifully wrapped up in Him. Don’t be afraid to let go of fear and say “yes” to the adventure.
What Gives You Purpose?
Leon and I are committed to asking the Lord about the good works He wants us to be part of. Especially during this interesting phase of history, we’re asking about the good works that give us purpose.
Years ago when our paths crossed with Ed and Ruth Silvoso and Transform Our World, the idea of purpose began to take a much more prominent role in our lives.
Leon and I believe that a grand adventure with God awaits every person—something beautiful that requires His Holy Spirit. That’s true for you too. Let’s move into those good works He’s already prepared for us. Instead of regretting the past or living in fear, let’s “walk on the testimony” God has given us. We will constantly find great purpose in loving God, glorying His name, and loving the world He made.