As I browsed Amazon in December trying to decide what to buy the family for Christmas, I clicked on Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person. I didn’t buy it, haven’t read it, and probably won’t — I already have about a gazillion books that I’ve bought and never finished, thank you very much! I simply liked the title and wanted to see more.

Reading the blurb made me want to write a book myself. If I were to begin such an ambitious project, the book might center around my need to say yes to God whenever He nudges me. My title could be something like A Lifetime of Yes: How to Dance In Praise, Stand in the Son and Be God’s Wholly (Holy?) Unique Person.

So far, I’ve not felt called to write a book — this blog is even a bit out of my comfort zone. Maybe you’re like me and fear doing anything you’ve never tried before. Why is that? What’s the worst thing that could happen? What is it I fear about stepping out of my comfort zone?

Do I really believe God would ask me to do anything that He could not or would not provide the resources to accomplish? Perhaps it’s just that I’m fearful of my motives. Maybe this is not really God’s nudging but my own selfish desires exerting themselves. Whatever my excuse , I believe every time I say no to God, the underlying reason is that I want to accomplish great things in my own power and using my own wisdom. I probably want to take the credit for any successes, too.

When I try to accomplish anything God asks of me in my own power, the waves will always overwhelm me as they did Peter when he took his eyes off Jesus (Matt. 14:30). I too often forget that failure or success is not mine to determine. All God asks of me is to be faithful in following His lead. He will take care of the outcome.

What types of things have you felt God nudging you to do, but, like Moses (Exodus 4:1-12), you’ve always told God you didn’t have the skills or courage to do them? As if He didn’t know how weak and incompetent we are without His power! Exactly how dangerous are the things He’s been asking of you — if not dangerous, perhaps just scary to you?

What if you did “scary” things like telling a friend that you admire her and would love to spend time getting to know her better? What if she rejects you? She might think you’re a weirdo and run for the hills!

But then again … maybe she has been thinking the same thing about you. Maybe God has put her on your heart because He wants you to bring her to Him. A beautiful, even a saving, relationship could develop just because you had the courage to say yes to that impulse to connect.

Let’s pick at least one thing for this new year that God has been nudging us to do for Him. Let’s simply ask him for His strength, His wisdom and His power to do that one thing. He will shower us with His blessings as we are faithful to His calling, not just this year, but for a lifetime of yes.

Father, forgive me for being fearful when You nudge me to do Your will. Help me to listen only to You, and give me the courage to always say yes. Give me the power to trust You and to remain faithful.