“Sometimes saying ‘No’ is the only way back to a life of ‘Yes.’” —Shauna Niequist
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.
—I Corinthians 10:23
Good Things
Have there been times in your life, maybe even now, when you are doing good things—really good things, LOTS of good things—but you realize that something isn’t quite right? If you’re like me, the answer is a resounding “YES!” If we’re honest, most of us walk…or run really fast…that pathway more often than not. We get busy doing activities or jobs that are productive and helpful and serving others and life-giving. Why would we NOT want to do those things??
When our family moved from our beloved east Texas to Colorado several years ago, I felt that if I didn’t get involved and be of service and make friends pretty quickly, I might sink. We had left the place where we raised our children and ourselves; where we helped start a church, served in the community, and were involved in myriad home school activities; we left friends we did life with and with whom we developed roots. Because I had been doing all of these good things, before we got unpacked, I started putting my name on lists, volunteering for needs at church, and looking for people who were in the same life-vein as I was.
All of those things were good!
STOP! Slow Down! 
But about a year after we got settled in CO, something—or Someone—spoke to me. “Slow down. Stop striving. Rest.” Then, “You will be just fine—even better. Get to know yourself and love those who are most important in your life right now. All of those other activities and needs and people aren’t going anywhere—but the most important ones are right in front of you. THIS is where you need to be.”
“STOP! Get to know yourself and love those who are most important in your life right now.” What?! Wasn’t I doing that? Hadn’t I done that all along? I was already doing that by staying busy with all the good things and people around us, while also teaching my children about service and what was important. What does that mean, “Get to know yourself”??
Tyranny of the Good
Somewhere along the way of life, where so many good things were before me, I thought I had to do them all and work to make sure things got done. I had to serve because there were so many needs, and surely, no one else would do the job; or because others expected me to do it; or maybe because it made me feel important. Really? Rather than pray over all of those good tasks (there’s a concept!) before deciding what was best for all concerned—especially my family and me—I took off running. I loved what I was doing: working, teaching, leading, heading up hospitality committees, attending to others’ needs.
Although I thought my busyness and service were necessary and good, they weren’t best. The work I was doing wasn’t always profitable—I was striving, and the good things I was doing became a kind of tyranny. The goodness of life, while always a gift, had started to become a very heavy weight; and before I realized it, I was on a track where knowing God, knowing myself, and knowing those I love most, had taken a back seat.
Saying No
Soon after I heard that voice telling me to slow down and “get to know myself” and to truly connect with and love those around me, I started saying “No.” I said No when I was asked to manage a website for something at church; No when a need was posted for a co-op leader; No when asked to volunteer weekly at a food bank. All of these needs were important, necessary, and good—and it wasn’t easy using the N word (at first). But eventually, I gained a freedom that was even more important, necessary, meaningful—and so much better.
Gradually, I started saying Yes to quiet mornings at home, to writing more, to deep and important conversations with my adult children; Yes to serving those in my home. I had to learn No so I could get back to Yes.
In the process, I slowly began to realize things about myself and understand more of what God wanted me to know: that He will use me right where I am; I don’t need to chase after all of those good things in life I am not responsible for; He directs my path toward goodness as long as I seek Him first.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:7
Return to Your Rest
Once you find the Rest your soul needs, you’ll realize that Life is still there, all of those good things are still waiting. Eventually, you will also be able to discern what is profitable. When you’re able to step back and see not only what the world around you needs, but what YOU need, you’ll walk toward to a more healthy and whole path and will be able to say Yes once again.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
—Isaiah 30:15
