"YES"- OBEDIENCE TO THE CALL

Last week's post seems to have really provoked action. Got a few messages with people planning ventures that express their gifts and capabilities and I'm genuinely excited to see what comes of it. I keep thinking about how many of us are living watered down versions of ourselves and the many lives that are attached to our “yes” inspiring this week's post. Have a read of last week’s post, here because this week's read is a continuation from the last. 

Benefiting from the obedience of others

In a similar vein to last week's post, I want us to consider how we ourselves have benefitted from someone else’s “yes”. Personally, I'm a product of many people’s yes’s, let’s explore some of them….

From year 2, I've engaged in one way or another with BADU Sports, an organisation that uses sports as a vehicle to empower and uplift young people. As many of you may know, the majority of my life has been spent playing sports, many of which were facilitated by BADU Sports coaches, supporting me to compete at the highest level and have unparalleled opportunities both within sports and academia. From that initial engagement with sports, my involvement has translated to running the mentoring and tuition programs. But what many don't know, is that BADU Sports was birthed out of one person’s (Mr Nana Badu) yes to a conviction he had to see better outcomes for young people. Now the company empowers thousands of young people weekly, through a range of sports coaching, mentoring and experiences. More recently, I began engaging with Christian charity ‘Our God Given Mission’ which also has a great story. The founder Mike Omoniyi felt a Godly impression to go on missions to Tenerife. He rallied together 9 friends and partners who made the trip and came back 7 days after with their lives changed forever. Since then they’ve carried on doing missions (which I went on last year), helping many to know the gospel and equip them to share it. 

Thought: I don't know if these organisations would be in existence if these people hadn’t been alive and honestly I’m not here for theocraticals so I don’t waste time thinking about this. What I do know is, they availed themselves and said “yes.”

Your yes

I once read that a “yes” is a thousand “no’s”, exemplifying the concept of opportunity cost. However, I’d also like to think that one “yes” facilitates many many other yes’s. I think of people in scripture who were obedient and said “yes”, whether it be Noah or Mary or most importantly Jesus Christ, their obedience widened the scope for many others.  Looking at Philippians 2:8 we see the greatest act of obedience, one that we still enjoy its ramifications today. 

So what are you going to say “yes” to?

NYA

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Life update: This morning we kicked off run club in Coventry (Warwick university) and it was absolutely great. I really feel in my element when I’m coaching and I’m confident this new team are going to enjoy it and more importantly, implement a long-lasting lifestyle change. For me, the session allowed me to “sweat off” a cold I managed to contract towards the end of last week. I’m speaking at the biggest event I ever have later today and with how my throat is acting, I’m gonna be relying on HS *Holy Spirit activate, Holy Spirit activate*

To join run club or to see how the speaking engagement today goes follow me on Instagram: @nana.y.a 

Book club update: With new members, my book club started reading the highly recommended ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. I had my reservations about the book just because so many recommended it (I’m weird I know), but after reading the first couple of chapters it’s definitely going to be a transformational read. So far he’s made a distinction between goals and systems, with goals helping set direction but more importantly implementing systems that contribute to a sustained, atomic long term change. Further, the idea of ones success or outcomes being determined ,and a lagging indicator of their habits spoke volumes as to how important these 1% improvements are. 

Personal reading: The book ‘Prodigal God’ has completely flipped my outlook on Christianity. Written by Timothy Keller, he explores the Parable of the prodigal son or as the author puts it “sons.” Ostensibly we see a story of a lost younger brother who squanders his share of the inheritance then comes back to a loving father, but the author reveals that’s only scratching the surface of the message Christ was giving. We see an older bro, who is revealed to be equally as lost and depraved as the younger, appealing to his own righteousness and works when begged to come into the celebratory party by his father. Keller emphasises the importance of the older brother, who’s symbolic of the Pharisees of the time and also many of us; believing our “goodness” forces God to bless us and seeking the gifts rather than the gift giver. I’m genuinely in awe of the revelations this book shares, aiding readers to see the parable authentically as Christ intended it and how their whole “practice” of Christianity is put into perspective.

As I read, I’ll keep you guys posted on some of my key takeaways from the books