In her bestselling memoir Year of Yes, television powerhouse Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, reveals how a single question from her sister unleashed a year of transformation. At the height of her career, Rhimes was a self-confessed “no-sayer,” shying away from invitations to parties, new speaking gigs, even candid conversations. Then one day her sister quietly said, “You never say yes to anything.” That challenge became a God-send. Shonda spent the next twelve months saying “yes” to every opportunity that terrified or intrigued her – and discovered that life blossoms when we step out in faith.
Too often, Christian women wait for the perfect moment to embrace God’s calling. We tell ourselves, “Someday, when the timing is right…when the finances line up…when I feel more prepared…” And on and on it goes, until the “someday” never comes. But Scripture reminds us that God delights not in our perfection, but in our willingness to begin.
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
God rejoices when we take that first step, however small.
Begin with a Baby Step
You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Even baby steps matter. Consider the mustard seed, a grain so tiny you could miss it in your hand, but Jesus Himself said: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
That mustard seed faith isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about saying “yes” to the next thing God puts before you. Maybe it’s praying five minutes each morning instead of hitting snooze, or reaching out to a mentor you admire. Maybe it’s signing up for that community outreach, volunteering in a ministry, or finally starting that Bible study you’ve imagined leading. Your Creator meets you in the small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10), and He’ll multiply your steps into strides.
Partnering with the Creator
Remember: the God who put galaxies into motion wants to partner with you today. You are His workmanship, created to do good works which He prepared in advance. (Ephesians 2:10)
He is not distant or disinterested. He longs to guide your steps, empower your voice, and equip you with everything you need. When you say “yes” to Him, you tap into His sovereignty and grace. You’re not stepping out alone, you’re stepping into His outstretched hand.
Living the Life He Designed
Some women look back with regret, years lost in hesitation, dreams deferred, callings ignored. Don’t let that be your story. God’s plan for you is brimming with purpose, joy, and growth. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Trust that His timing is perfect, even when it feels imperfect to you. Say “yes” to His invitation today. You may not see the finish line yet, but each step taken in obedience draws you closer to the vibrant, purpose-aligned life He intended.
Your Invitation to Yes
What if you said yes? What doors might swing open? What fears might fall away? What wisdom, friendships, and blessings await? God isn’t asking for your flawless resume. He’s asking for your open heart. So, begin. Take that baby step. Partner with the Creator who delights in your yes.
Your “Year of Yes” may not look exactly like Shonda Rhimes’s, but it can be even more profound, because it’s directed by the Author of life Himself. Today, dare to whisper – including to yourself and to God – three powerful words:
Yes. I. Will.
And watch how God rejoices.
