Saying No to the Good to Say Yes to the Best

In life, there are a lot of good opportunities that come our way. However, are we too busy saying yes to the good opportunities that we don’t have time for the best ones anymore? In this post, let me share with you what our priorities in life should and how we can be sure that we are saying to the best opportunities and not settle for less!

A moral story about doing the right project

Let me start this message with a story. Once there was a brilliant, creative, and diligent student whose name was Oliver. His teacher gave him and his classmates a project about creating a presentation on “The Wonders of Ancient Egypt.”

Excitement buzzed through the hallways as students brainstormed ideas, but Oliver had something different in mind. He wanted to make a lasting impression, to show everyone that he could go above and beyond what was expected.

Instead of delving into the wonders of Ancient Egypt, Oliver decided to create a project about “The History of Space Exploration.” It was a subject that had always fascinated him. He was so passionate about this topic, and he believed it would showcase his creativity and set him apart from his peers. With unwavering determination, he began his research, gathering facts, images, and videos about the cosmos.

Weeks flew by, and Oliver’s project on space exploration took shape. He had compiled an astonishing array of information about the Apollo missions, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Mars rovers. His PowerPoint presentation was filled with stunning visuals and his narration was enthusiastic and captivating. Oliver believed he had created a masterpiece, a project that would leave everyone in awe.

The day of the presentations arrived, and Oliver was the last to go. As he walked to the front of the classroom, his heart pounded with anticipation. He launched into his presentation with zeal, discussing the mysteries of the universe, the brave astronauts who ventured into the cosmos, and the beauty of distant galaxies. His classmates and teacher were indeed captivated, as he had hoped.

When Oliver finished his presentation, the room erupted in applause. His classmates were amazed by his creativity and the sheer effort he had put into his project. Even his teacher, Mrs. Santos, was impressed by his knowledge and presentation skills. However, as the applause died down, Mrs. Anderson cleared her throat and spoke solemnly.

“Oliver,” she began, “Your presentation was truly outstanding. I can see the passion and effort you put into it. However, I can’t help but notice that it was on the wrong topic. The assignment was about Ancient Egypt, not space exploration.”

“I’m sorry, Oliver, but I have to evaluate you based on the assignment’s guidelines,” Mrs. Anderson said with a heavy heart. “You’ve done exceptional work, but it’s simply not the project I asked for. I have to give you a failing grade.”

What is the project of your life?

Brethren, this story illustrates that sometimes, no matter how great and beautiful your project is, if it is not what is asked for, it will lead to disappointment and ultimately, failure.

You see brethren, could it be possible that we are doing the wrong projects in life? Could it be that we are spending so much time, energy, and resources on things that will not matter in the end?

That’s what I want us to think about right now in this message. I have actually entitled this message, “Say no to the good to say yes to the best.”

If you’re spending so much time doing the good, then you’ll have less time doing the best. If you’re constantly settling for the good, then you’ll miss the best opportunities when it comes knocking on your door. What I mean by this is that you can’t possibly do everything. You’ve got to set your priorities right.

Many opportunities but only one is the best

Now, this life can give us a lot of opportunities. More often than not, these opportunities are actually good and they are unnecessarily evil or wrong. Looking back, I had a lot of good opportunities that came to my life. I would also dare to say that you too had a lot of good opportunities. However, we need to realize that these opportunities can actually be distractions to what truly matters in life.

I remember a church member who is a school teacher. Right before the feast, he was baptized. He kept the feast with us. After the feast, he was offered by the school a new higher position. The position required him to attend classes, conferences, and meetings during the Sabbath. Eventually, he stopped attending church.

Our ultimate goal in life

You see, brethren, you need to learn to say no to the good to say yes to the best. What should be our top priority in life? What should be that one thing that we all should strive for?

Let’s read Matthew 6:33:

But seek first the kingdom of God…

Here’s our top priority. It should be first. We need to start with the Kingdom of God in mind. That’s why, if you’re truly valuing the Kingdom of God, all year round we are actually preparing for the Feast of the Tabernacles.

By saving up our second tithe, we are constantly focusing our minds on God’s kingdom. When we do our yearly planning, we already mark our calendars when the Holy Days of God will happen. We already block the Sabbaths and make sure that no other activities will fall on those days.

And His righteousness…

Psalm 119:172 says, “All Your commandments are righteousness.” This means that part of seeking the Kingdom of God is obeying His commandments. Well, that’s something unpopular in a world that seeks freedom.

They thought that God’s commandments are restricting their freedom. Instead of thinking that God’s commandments are mandatory, they thought it would be optional. So, what happens, the Bible says, don’t eat pork. People say, Oh, I will not eat pork but if it is the only food available, then I will eat it. Oh, I would like to keep the Sabbath, but I can’t this coming week because I have a class, I have an important business meeting, I need to do the laundry.

Are you seeing the pattern here, brethren, going to class is good. Closing a business deal is good. Being with friends and family is good, but there are times when you have to say no to the good to say yes to the best.

Start with the Kingdom of God

Entering the Kingdom of God is the best opportunity that you’ll ever have in this life and what’s more, this opportunity is not given to anyone or everyone. Yahweh has personally handpicked you. He has called you by your name.

Now, tell me, is there any opportunity this world could offer that is better than the opportunity God is offering us?

We need to start with the Kingdom of God. That is our ultimate goal in life. That is the best opportunity that is offered to us. That is the trajectory of our life. Whatever opportunities come your way, you need to ask, will this opportunity help me reach God’s kingdom if not, then you have to say no to the good to say yes to the best.

One of the saddest things that could happen to you is working so hard to climb the ladder of success, only to find out that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.

Which one should you choose?

In life, there are just so many things you can do. This world offers a lot of priorities. There’s not just one option. There are just so many of them. Where you want to go live, which phone to buy, where you want to go to college, what career path you want to follow, which food to eat, what clothes to wear, which one to marry. There are just so many choices.

However, the question remains, which one should you choose? That’s where you need to say no to the good to say yes to the best. A Russian proverb says, “One who chases two rabbits won’t catch anything.” Why? Because when you almost catch one rabbit, your attention goes to another. The cycle goes on and on until you find yourself, at the end of the day, having done nothing.

Do you know why you should not try to do anything you want to do? It is because your time is limited. You don’t have all the time in the world to become everything you want to be. However, let me tell you this one thing is true, you have all the time in the world to become everything God wants you to be. The Almighty has given us enough time, this time, our life, to fulfill His purpose and follow His will for us.

Examples of saying yes to the good

Let me give you examples of people who have said yes to good and people who have said yes to the best.

We read in Luke 9:57-62:

⁵⁷ Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” ⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” ⁵⁹ Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” ⁶¹ And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

⁶² But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” 

Did you see that, by themselves, there’s nothing wrong with seeking a more comfortable life, being with your father before he dies, and spending time with your family? However, Yahshua is teaching us that if these things can prevent us from reaching the Kingdom of God, then we have to say no to the good and say yes to the best.

An example of saying yes to the best

Now, let me give you an example of someone who said no to the good to say yes to the best — Moses. Let’s go to Hebrews 11:24-26:

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

You see, brethren, all of us are given the choice every single day — a choice between good or best. Pleasing others is good but pleasing God is best. Passing your exams in school is good but passing the test of God is best. Working hard to earn a living is good but working out your salvation is best.

Don’t settle for less

What am I telling you? I’m telling you, “Don’t settle for less.” A lot of people dreamed to be a successful businessman. Some dreamed to become the mayor of their city or president of the Philippines. Some dreamed to become famous. Some dreamed to travel around the world. However, all those dreams are nothing compared to what God has prepared for us. Tell me, which is better, to be the richest person on this earth for 70 years or to be a spiritual being for all eternity in the Kingdom of God?

You exist today solely for one purpose and that purpose is to be part of God’s Kingdom. The saddest part of life is when, like Oliver in our story, you have given all that you have to finish a project only to find out that it doesn’t really matter at the end of your life.

God will ask us about our choices

We don’t want to stand before the judgment seat and found ourselves wanting. God will not ask us how much money we have in the bank, how big our house is, how many properties we have acquired, or what smartphone model we own.

He will be asking, did you choose the best? Did you choose my will for you? 

In Philippians 3:13-14, we read:

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

As long as you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added to you. It means that Yahweh will not forsake you. Like a loving father, God will provide all that we need. Without fail, He will provide all our needs. So, there’s really no need to worry. If you put God’s Kingdom first, then all things will fall into their right place. 

So, every time you need to make a decision, ask yourself, “Will this help me reach the Kingdom of Yahweh?” If the answer is yes, then by all means, grab that opportunity. If the answer is no, then you have to refuse the temptation of getting distracted, of the things that may give you temporary pleasure, of the things that could lead you astray.

So, brethren, it is my sincerest hope that all of us would have the courage, wisdom, and faith to say no to the good and to say yes to the best!

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