The past month has been full of community and time in the secret place.  Laughter and sweet memories are the hallmark of each week, and I am so grateful for it.  But the past month has also been a difficult one. Caught at the crossroads of a prolonged transition, my heart is constantly wrestling between what is now and what will be. Temptation for complacency has been greater than in any other season I have walked through.  Lethargy, anxiety, and sadness have also come up along the way. The result: a restless heart that simultaneously hopes for the permanence of what is now, but is very much ready for what is coming next.

In the middle of that battle between the present and future, I have prayed the same prayer time and time again.  I’ve prayed this prayer so often, in fact, that I feel like my heart is a broken record. Over and over, I say “yes.”  That’s it. That is my prayer, just “yes.” In this simple breath prayer, I am decidedly committing to the Lord once again that my heart is in submission to His leadership, His timing, His plans, and His love.  I am affirming my partnership with what He has for me right here and now, and proactively declaring that I submit to what He has prepared further down the corridors of time. In saying only “yes,” I am submitting my heart completely.  There are no conditions nor are there any stipulations. I want only for my heart to be in direct alignment with His. And so, this small prayer of “yes” has become the anthem for this season.

While this one-word prayer is arguably one of the most basic of prayers, there are moments when it is difficult to pray.  On the days when my dreams seem far away and even their certainty is hazy, it can take much strength and courage to muster up a “yes.” On the days when transitioning out of my present reality seems like more heartache than I can stand, it takes faith to release a “yes.”  And on the days when what is now seems to be draining both life and energy from me, it can take patience to offer up a “yes.” It is particularly during those days when I am thankful for the companionship of the Holy Spirit. He truly is our Helper (Rom 8:26-27). With His presence comes the grace and strength to continue partnering positively and hopefully with the Lord.

Not only is Holy Spirit faithful in helping me to say “yes” even when it is difficult, but He also brings comfort and hope (2 Cor 1:4) (Rom 5:2-7).  My heart takes encouragement and joy in knowing that He is my Advocate. His heart is for me; surely, I will not fail (Ps 46:5). In this way, the guidance of the Holy Spirit is like the pillar of cloud and fire that the Israelites followed through the desert toward the promise land (Ex 13:21).  His Presence confirms His faithfulness and directs each step (Ps 37:23). Reassurance and confidence are built up by this consistent and abiding leadership (Philipp 1:6, 4:13) (Prov 3:26). This confidence helps my heart to take another step forward, whether the path be clear or hazy.

And so, my anthem continues.  “Yes” after “yes” will proceed from my heart for the duration of this transition, however long it may be.  With each affirmation of the position of my heart, I hope and long only to be brought into deeper intimacy with the Lord.  He is Good Shepard and Father. Where He leads, I will follow; what He does, I will partner with.