Harvest Time

It's interesting to me that we often compare our single lives with Esther in the bible. But what do we stand to learn from Ruth's journey? I've heard many of my church friends say they are waiting for their "Boaz". Nevertheless, if we look more closely, we will see that Ruth wasn't just standing around waiting for anything. She made a decision; a life-changing decision to help another woman...one that she wasn't joined to by blood, money, business, or obligation of any sort. This woman was no longer her mother-in-law, yet Ruth felt that it was indeed her privilege to follow Naomi and see after her. During a time of grief and sorrow-they could've parted ways, and as Naomi told her-"I have nothing to give you, not even another son who could grow up and be your husband."

But Ruth wasn't looking out for her own personal gain. She wasn't on that "me first" kick that so many of us are on today. Don't get it twisted-we have to take care of ourselves in order to serve others properly; but SERVE is the key word here. Ruth clearly had the heart of a servant, and in her heart she wanted only to serve Naomi. So she followed her, made a commitment to take care of her and was in the end very richly rewarded.

Ruth did what she had to do. Now I'm not trying to knock Esther's spa treatments and etiquette lessons,(just kidding-her journey was different) but Ruth's labor wasn't quite as easy. It was during a season of Harvest (just as it is now) when Boaz witnessed the hard work and tenacity of this woman. He instantly noticed something special about her. Ruth didn't go in there with a Jezebel spirit, trying to be sexy and seductive while sneakily attempting to control things; nor did she go in with a victim spirit like someone had to save her.

Let's cut to the chase right here-How are you serving others while in waiting (or in pursuit) of your Boaz? We claim to really thoroughly enjoy our "singleness", yet we aren't doing anything to reap its rewards. Do you know what your purpose is? And if you do, are you actively pursuing it? Or are you just hanging out and going on dates with the hopes that Prince Charming will marry you and sweep you off your feet and away from the responsibility of your own life? I'm sure I've said this before; but I feel like I should say it again: Become the woman you are meant to become, and your Husband will find you.

Becoming that woman will mean many different things for each of us. For some of us it will be to heal and let go of all that bitterness that makes us unapproachable. Perhaps some of us need to stop thinking about men so much and focus on finding out who we really are outside of our jobs and kids. Some of us have foundations to start, other women besides your closest friends to encourage, teenagers to mentor, businesses to start, books to write, and exes to get over. Others have no idea what they are passionate about (besides men). We talk a lot about the 'freedoms' of being single, as in traveling and spending your money on you...These things only serve you, and therefore they won't truly improve the quality of your life, they just sound good.

When Boaz found Ruth she was hard at work in the Harvest field. I'll bet it wasn't at all glamorous! Will you be out in the field working this summer? Or spending all your money on hairdos and outfits for the Taste of Chicago? What about me? Well, it's harvest season, so I'm gonna get to work!


Blessings,

Verse