Psalm 119:106 The Discipline of Yes

I know a young man who is an habitual No-Man (as opposed to a Yes-Man).

His brothers were both Cardinals fans, so he automatically decided he was a Royals fan. He doesn't follow the NFL at all, but if he finds himself at a Super Bowl party, he'll gauge the audience and quickly begin loudly and vociferously rooting for whichever team the majority is against.

No matter the topic of conversation - movies, music, politics, whatever - the only opinion I can count on him taking is the one opposite from the crowd.

I've concluded over the years that he does this just to attract attention to himself. He has no real opinions, but he's learned he can draw attention by being the naysayer. It's often negative attention, but it's attention nevertheless.

I don't think he ever consciously chose this approach. He just fell into it at an early age while squabbling with his older siblings. Now it's an unconscious habit.

I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.

Psalm 119:106

People in 21st century America don't take oaths very often. It's just not done, except in legal circumstances. Outside of legal situations an oath is an anachronism left over from centuries ago.

The  Bible warns against taking oaths (Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23). It's not that oaths are bad, but failing to keep an oath is strongly warned against.

Instead of resorting to oath-taking, it's better to develop the discipline of saying Yes and sticking to it. Practicing this habit of Yes on smaller things will make it easier to habitually say Yes to larger things.

Say Yes to remembering to brush your teeth each morning. Say Yes to the day ahead as you rise from bed upon waking int he morning.

Say Yes to choosing healthier food options. Say Yes to changing your habits of what foods you purchase and allow to sit on the shelves in your kitchen.

Say Yes to requests for help that comes your way. Say Yes to habitually keeping your eyes open for people who cross your path each day and for opportunities to plant godly seeds of kindness, love, sacrifice, and good news.

Say yes to the habit of church attendance. Say yes to paying attention to the sermon. Say yes to reading and meditating on the Bible each day.

Say Yes to developing intentional habits on the 1 road of life.

Say Yes.