Isn’t this wall of “love locks” terrific, Dear Reader? All with good intentions, but sometimes it’s hard to find the “yes” in a promise. I love how there are so many kinds of locks, different sizes, different colors, different purposes, kind of like promises.
We promise to be BFFs forever, to make all our mortgage payments on time, to get home from work for the soccer game. All kinds of promises. Promises permeate our lives, but how do we truly find the yes in a promise that can’t be written into an agreement?
Did you ever pinky swear, Dear Reader? Maybe to a friend, or your child? In the moment we are sincere, our motives true, and then things change. Then your friend moved away, and the child grows up. Perspectives & priorities change and it becomes difficult to find the yes in a promise that we made in good faith.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him (Christ). That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 RSV
Honestly, Dear Reader, when I read this Scripture, it almost jumped off the page. My paradigm began to twist and turn about. My pen could not keep up with a new insight!
When God makes/gives me a promise, it’s not up to me to fullfill it. My job is to welcome and embrace it, to yield to God’s invitation to come into covenant with Him. Because Jesus said “yes” to yielding His life for ours, we have the opportunity to say “yes” to God’s promises to us.
And that’s only half of the story. In order to say yes to God’s promises we must humble ourselves so we can “utter the Amen (so be it) through him (Jesus).” His promises of good through us are for His glory, not ours, as they bear fruit.
Have you ever wondered if God would ask you to do something to bring Him and His Kingdom glory that would be everlastingly harmful to you? Yes, there are times His asks are uncomfortable, costly, even sacrificial, but Jesus’ last words to His followers were a promise to be with us along the way.
And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20b NLT
How do we find the yes in a promise among ourselves? The same way we do with the promises of God:
- consider the source (and its trustworthiness/ track record);
- consider what’s being asked of us (who receives the benefit?)
- consider what’s offered in return;
- decide if the promise is worth the cost.
What promise is God extending to you, Dear Reader? Each of us has a divine purpose, but it may come with a cost.
Is the Creator of the Universe trustworthy?
How will answering yes to His promise bring Him glory and you blessing?
Do you believe your yes to His promise will be worth its cost in a lasting way?
