(“Okay” as a magic word is found in the following chapter from
Enough and Other Magic Words to Transform Your Life
by David W. Jones)
CHAPTER FOUR
Oh, No, No, No… Bruce Springsteen
The Problem
Amen.
I am told that amen means so be it. So be it is a lot like yes. When I imagine Adam walking through Eden, I imagine him saying, “Yes,” a lot.
God says, “Adam, work the garden.”
Adam says, “Yes,” and works the garden.
God says, “Adam, name the animals.”
Adam says, “Yes,” and names the animals.
God says, “Adam, enjoy the garden.”
Adam says, “Yes,” and enjoys the beauty of the garden.
I imagine Adam walking through the marvels of Eden, the wonders upon wonders, the joys, the sights, and the vistas which, upon seeing, Adam says from deep in his soul, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Wendell Berry captures for me what first wonders feel like in his poem, The First.
The first man who whistled
thought he had a wren in his mouth.
He went around all day
with his lips puckered,
afraid to swallow.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Adam knew yes.
He also knew no.
God says, “Adam don’t eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden.”
Adam says, “Which tree?” And later, when he’s sure God is far away, when he holds the fruit in his hand, Adam says, “No,” and breaks God’s rule.
When God looks for him, when God asks what he has done, Adam doesn’t say yes to God but no. “No! It wasn’t my fault. It was that woman you gave me.” No.
Adam had yes. Adam had no. He needed something else.
Peter, Jesus’ disciple, was a lot like Adam. Peter had yes. Peter had no. He needed something else.