The Dutch (Nederlandse) version
Pastor T. J. de Ruiter
There are 'Yes' and 'No' people. Some psychologists make an important difference between those two categories. The 'Yes' people are active, have a positive attitude to life, endeavouring and dare to take risks. The 'No' people have a passive attitude, often negative and rather see problems than opportunities. Question: What kind of person are you?
Of course, we must not make this difference between people too rigid or too definite, because 'Yes' people also say sometimes 'No.' For instance when something seems to be in nature negative or unproductive. And 'No' people do say sometimes 'Yes.' And everybody will sometimes in a certain mood act in way which is contrary to his character.
Life comes with its challenges. In fact life itself is one big challenge. You are going for it - sure! You want to make a career in business, in sport perhaps or in the world of entertainment. You like adventurous holidays and exciting trips. You say 'Yes' to life and you put all your energy in it. It is 'now or never.' You accept the challenge, speed up things and you are determined to keep it going. You want to reach your goals. Going back is out of question. You will keep your enthousiasm and your spirit high.
But there are risks and forces that are above human manipulation. The weather is one factor that we cannot control and sometimes an illness, totally unexpected, will keep us in bed or worse. Sometimes mistakes are made and stupid things done, without considering the consequences. A disaster in The Netherlands on New Year's day of 2001, when in a bar, just after midnight, and the new year had just begun, somebody lit a small fireworks - and the whole place was within seconds ablaze. Many young people died in that blazing fire and others were maimed for life. It shook our nation - how could this happen? Especially the 'Yes' people are not always ready to accept that they can also loose and that the smile of 'Yes' can suddenly change into a negative or sad 'No.'
I know somebody, who can change the negative in something positive. It may sound unbelievable but that person is able to give to the most negative experience a positive purpose. I am talking of Jesus Christ. Two thousand years ago he was with us and lived a very positive and productive life. But his life changed suddenly when he was betrayed, unjustly condemned to death and actually died as a criminal, crucified, as was the custom of the Romans. That cross on which Jesus died was a real 'minus' (-) experience. But God changed the negative of his cross into a 'plus' (+) for humanity - for you too. His death on that cross, with its vertical and horizontal beams, is now the greatest plus sign in the world. The cross on which Jesus Christ died is the 'Yes' of the Almighty God to a lost humanity. The cross of Christ is not only the symbol of forgiveness and reconcilition between God and man, it is also the power of God unto salvation. It is the 'Yes'of God to you and me.
Now, if you are at a dead end in your life and you feel frustrated and totally confused, why not take up this challenge of faith in God, through Jesus Christ, and say 'Yes' to Him, who says 'Yes' to you? Jesus Christ came to save you from eternal lostness and restore you to spiritual freedom and vitality. Why not put - as it were - your hand in His hand and let Him help you? He is saying to you right now: "Here, take my hand, trust me and I will help you to overcome all evil and negativity." Experience the reality of Gods + to you!
Why not say 'Yes' to God and his Son Jesus Christ?
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more? E-mail me now. It is time for something new. It is time to become
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Read now also: Coming to Christ
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