Saying "Yes" to God

When did a "woman's prerogative" become a Christian principle?

"First you say no, then you say yes. Honey, please make up your mind," says the confused husband.

"A woman's prerogative." A Christian principle. (Matthew 21:28-32) No matter how many 'no's' we've said to God over the years, this day and this moment we are still able to give our 'yes'."

Man or woman, we may often use the "woman's prerogative" in our lives but God continues to live among us and is always telling us the lyrics of an old song, "You're lips say, 'no no' but there's 'yes yes' in your eyes!"

Ezekiel (18:25-28) tells us that God says, "Is it my way that is not fair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?" God doesn't want our money, our successes, our sacrifices. God wants our life. Yeah, I guess that is a little bit unfair.

St. Paul (Philippians 2:1:11) give us the passage that I think is the Bible's greatest. Jesus does not think that equality with God something to hold on to; he wants to be here among us…showing us how it's done… and then showing us what can happen to us when our earthly journey is complete.

We have all said our shares of "no's" throughout our lives. Some of those "no" we may have regretted and continue to regret today. We have said it to God, to ourselves, we've said it to spouses, we've said it to co-workers, we've said it to good friends. "No."

Reading a Christian martyr's biography can be kinda depressing. Are these all such perfect people? It seems so "cleaned up" when I read them.

They are martyrs that are remembered for a reason, their dedication and their lives ought to inspire us to give a resounding "yes" to each challenge that life lays before us.

Behind the official biography, I know there lies hints of doubt. Statements like, "what if", "I'm not so sure," "Is this really really worth it?" From Stephen to Maxmilian Kolbe, I'm confident that no faith can be so sure and so safe in these mortal bodies of ours.

I want the martyrs to speak to me and to influence me. I want the martyrs to tell me that doubt is o.k. but don't dwell on to it for too long. That confusion is common in this crazy world but we'll sort it through together. That the question of, "is it worth it?" may not be answered clearly for me but that my trust will have increased because of asking the question.

Many times our lips may say, "no no" but our hearts (hearts wanting the right, hearts yearning for justice, hearts searching for truth) want the desire and the burn that says, "yes yes."

After all, it's a Christian principle, it's a "woman's prerogative."