Seeing the pieces?

I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!” God is gracious—it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me. (Psalm 116:1-2)

It is both heart-warming and a little bit of a bummer that we have to come to the end of our ropes to find God waiting on us, isn't it? I wonder if there is a lesson in finding ourselves in the place where we feel totally helpless - not hopeless, but helpless. In other words, we find ourselves in extreme need, but don't know how to meet that need anymore in our own efforts. I think God is right there just waiting for us to get to that very point - because when we finally admit we 'cannot', he is ready to show us he 'can'. 

Anger might be what we feel whenever we cannot possibly see any way out of whatever predicament we have gotten ourselves into, but when we cry out (even if there is a tinge of anger in that cry), God is there listening for our cry. Why did he allow us to get to that place? If we are truthful it is likely that we weren't ready to allow him to do what he needed to do until we found ourselves smack-dab in the middle of our muddle. God takes the side of the helpless - but sometimes we just need to get to the place where we recognize the help we need doesn't come from something on this earth or from our own struggling.

Not knowing which way to turn suggests more than one being out of options - it indicates there are so many there may just be a little confusion as to which one is the right one! I have been there - knowing full well there is one 'right' or 'best' solution, but still looking around at all the other 'options' available to me. You ever been there? Isn't it a wonder that we can see one 'solution' as the right one, but still not take it? Our stubborn pride can give us the greatest challenge at times, can it not?

We serve a compassionate God, my friends. One who isn't afraid to extend grace. One who doesn't take away the 'best' option when we are looking around at all the others. If you have been like me, you might have heard yourself laying out all the solutions, one by one in a kind of 'pros and cons' fashion. You have moved this or that, attempting to find 'just the right solution', but like those tiny puzzles of yesteryear that had all the numbers scrambled, we find we struggle to get the right order to those numbers. The solution is right there, but we don't see it - because we are looking at the pieces instead of the problem!

God sees the problem - he also sees the pieces. He is the one to put the pieces in order so the problem is no longer a problem - it is a solution. Not just 'a' solution, but the 'best' solution. Just sayin!

A little fore-thought and intentional progress here....

It is always good to have a "recipe" or "instructions" to follow - especially when you are trying to create something you are not familiar with - new experiences demand solid instructions in order to not get things messed up along the way. The same is true in our spiritual walk - we have not walked this way before, so we need the "recipe" or "instructions" for how it is that we are to live. Today we will explore a couple of important principles - contrasting the way we should live against the way we often choose to live. Probably above all, we need to understand what it is that we are choosing to have "made of our lives" - it should be to be counted wise and to build a reputation that is rock-solid. Reputation is how we are known - it reflects either the wisdom or foolishness of our choices. Some people refer to a reputation as the "character" of a man or woman. Today's 'recipe' or 'instructions' is really focusing on what develops a "solid" character.

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. (James 3:13-16)

There is a simple contrast presented here: Live well, wisely and humbly - OR - be mean-spirited, twisting the truth, focusing on what makes you look good, but destroys relationships. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to evaluate the "best" course of action when faced with these two sets of 'instruction' side by side. We want to be known as having made wise decisions with our life. Individuals who bring tragedy into lives of others are certainly known for their actions, but we would not say they have a "good" or "solid" reputation. The problem arises when we are faced with two 'recipes' or sets of 'instruction' on how it is we are to live. One will produce something 'close to' what we may want, but it won't be the same as the real deal! If you have ever tasted sugar-free anything, you know exactly what I mean! The most important portion of this instruction is that our actions and words should match. We lose credibility when we say one thing and then act completely opposite of what we just said. We cannot call ourselves disciples of Christ and then never spend any time or effort at being involved in learning what it is to be a disciple. We cannot say that we are ambassadors of Christ if we never make any effort to bring the message of reconciliation to others. We cannot say that we care for people, then engage in all kinds of destructive behavior that tears down others.

The "carelessness" we engage in pursuit of some of our activities in life can be quite frustrating when we see the outcome. We end up having to "go back" to "undo" our mistakes and to "redo" our efforts all over again. "Redoing" life is costly - we cannot make up for lost time, missed opportunities that would have existed the first time around a lot easier than they do now, and we often find relationships are just not the same once we have "damaged" them. The simple truth is that it takes more work to "redo" life than it would have resulted in if we'd just have taken the time to consider the result of our actions before we ever pursued them the first time around! Thank God that we have the opportunities for "do-overs"! I am grateful for each one, but it is apparent to me that the "do-over" cost more than I often wanted invest in the first place! I have had my share of "doing again" what I did not do right the first time. We've heard it said, "If the job is worth doing, it is worth doing right." If a relationship is worth having, it is worth "doing it right" the first time - and that includes our relationship with Christ. That means that we don't allow things in the relationship that damage either of those involved.

Much discord in our homes, work relationships, and even in society in general, could have been avoided if we were more concerned with maintaining solid character (both for ourselves and the others in the relationships). Relationships are much more complicated than some of the other 'recipes' or 'instructions' we set out to follow - but the principle of "connecting" correctly, with fore-thought and intention, applies within each and every relationship we engage in - including our relationship with Christ! Just sayin!

Does God need our will-power?

One of the things I really appreciate about David, the man who was acclaimed to have a "heart after God's", is his determination of will.  David faced many a "giant" in his day - not physical giants, but indeed many giants spiritually, emotionally, and in relationships.  Whether you consider his response as one of the youngest in his family, obediently pursuing the tasks his father assigned him as keeper of the flocks, alone on the backside of the grazing lands for many days and nights, or his position as the king of Israel, the ruler of a great nation of people with wavering intent when it came to serving their God, he exhibits a determination of will which comes through in each account recorded.  I have to wonder if this might just be one of the reasons we find God reflecting David's life and worship in the scriptures.  Perhaps there is a lesson or two we can glean from this "will" determination!  David could be at the lowest point in his life from a physical perspective, strength waning, body taxed to the max, and he'd still lift his head in praise.  He could be deep into the misery of depression, feeling it both physically and in the depth of his disturbed emotions, and he'd turn to God in praise, reach to him in prayer, and celebrate him in worship.  I daresay, we don't always reveal this same determination of will, choosing rather to cower in fear, give up on our pursuit, or hunker down in our depression.  We might have an opportunity here, my friends, if we'd consider the power of the will when it is surrendered to the hand of a mighty and powerful God!

Great blessings belong to those who trust in the Lord, for those who do not turn to demons and false gods for help. Lord my God, you have done many amazing things! You have made great plans for us—too many to list. I could talk on and on about them, because there are too many to count.  (Psalm 40:4-5 ERV)

It isn't that David had "will-power" as we might think of it in a natural sense. When I think of will-power, I imagine the ability I can muster within to avoid something or remain consistent with a commitment I have made. It is dependent upon me and my ability.  When we see David's will-power, it has a different determination, though.  He surrenders his will time and time again to the purposes and intent of God - knowing God will take that will and use it to turn David's circumstances around.  The difference is where the dependence is placed - one is squarely upon our own shoulders, while the other is definitely in a source not our own. 

When the will is submitted to God, there is a determination of heart which brings a yielding of mind, body, and spirit to the purpose of God.  Will is a driver of sorts for each of us, for what we "will" to do, we often find we at least make strides toward doing.  We may not "arrive" all the way at the destination we imagined, but we get moving in the direction of what we are aiming at, don't we?  Will moves us - it gives us momentum toward something.  If our will is directed toward what we imagine WE can do, we tend to rely upon the source of our own physical and emotional strength.  If our will is yielded into the hands of God, we tend to rely upon the strength he provides - even when ours wanes or falters.

It is important to note what happens when we take our will and submit it into the hands of God.  According to what we see here, we begin to experience blessings too numerous to count.  If you don't believe me, you will have to give it a try!  Wherever we submit our will, or turn our focus (because that's what will actually allows us to do), we find there is this element of trust which enters into the picture.  We determine where or in who it is we will place our trust.  Will is an inanimate "thing" which actually reveals where it is we have placed our trust.  It could be in our own self, another human being, or in the great and mighty ruler of the universe himself.  Either way, will is linked to trust.

Trust is one of the hardest things I think we have to get right in this walk on this earth.  We struggle so much with trust because of our own failures - because we have put our faith and belief in what we WILL to do and find ourselves failing miserably time and time again.  We eventually get to the place we no longer trust ourselves.  We struggle with trust because of the let downs which have occurred by placing our trust in another individual, because they have all the best of intentions, but when the rubber meets the road, they just cannot "perform" as we imagined they could.  The let down comes, and we determine we cannot trust them, either.

Will is always linked to trust, so having a solid place to put our trust is important. I think David learned that over his years of struggling with placing his trust in his own abilities or those of another.  He saw the frustrations of failure and the folly of emotional let-down when another could not measure up to what they promised.  The good news is that God isn't going to let us down, but we will never really know this until we take our will and squarely commit it to him.  We yield our efforts into his hands, we commit our plans into his purposes, and we settle into realizing his best for us.  Blessing comes to those who determine to make their focus God himself.  Just sayin!

Moved to give

Give:  to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; to place in someone's care; provide or contribute.  There are various ways we are called to "give" of ourselves everyday - from out time to our talent, from our money to our mentoring, from our treasure to our trust.  The scripture is plain about the attitude which should be behind our giving.  The attitude we exhibit may not be the genuine one we feel, though.  If you don't believe me, remember when you put the last "gift" in the offering plate at church or wrote out the last donation check to the local charity you supported.  Now, honestly, was your heart "moved" in that moment of giving, or was it kind of just because you felt a little tug on the emotions?  Most of the time, we give because we are "moved upon" by our emotions - so we need to make sure our emotions are in line with what God has in mind, right?  Why do you think there are so many commercials with sad looking dogs, cats, seals, polar bears, and the like?  The picture paints the story better than words - so the charities tell you how bad things are for stray animals, but they also show you those sad eyes on that hound dog!  Why?  To play on your emotions!  God doesn't play on our emotions - he asks us to put our emotions under his control and then allow him to direct how it is we will express them in our giving.

Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.  (Deuteronomy 15:10-11 MSG)

There is another passage which almost mirrors the intent of this one:

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.  God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.  (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 MSG)

Looking at our two passages, there are some key elements which are instructions on how it is we are to give - whether it is of our time, talent, or treasure.

* There is to be no stinginess in our giving.  The root of stinginess is either in greed or a lack of trust. Greed shows a heart which is moved to think of self first.  A lack of trust is simply a sign we have not entered fully into committing our plans and purposes to God's care.  Either way, we fall short of what God desires of us as it comes to giving.  We are to allow God to change our hearts so we see the needs of others, not just our own.  We are to draw near enough to Jesus so as to take him at his Word - he says he will provide for all our needs, so when we begin to anchor our faith in his Word as truth for our lives, we begin to enter into trusting him for our needs to be met, even if we give what we have to those in need.

* Giving is to be intentional.  Our passages both refer to putting your mind into the mix.  Giving is to be done with forethought, intent, and a known purpose.  In other words, you don't give out of an emotional tug on your heart, but out of an intentional preparation to meet the needs of others.  For example, if you travel a path which takes you past many homeless people on your way to work every day, you might want to invest in a few meal coupons from a local fast food restaurant.  As you stop at those lights where you'd see them you could give them a hot meal by giving them the coupon.  Now, this may not seem like much, but it is intentional - it meets the most important need in the life of the one standing there at the moment.  The same is true when we are thinking about meeting the needs of our co-workers, family, and other relations.  Good relationships come together because there is intentional thought into what will "add to" the cohesiveness and growth of the relationship.  It is with intention we are to "give into" those relationships.

Both passages deal with the outcome of our giving - it moves God's heart!  Now, it doesn't escape my attention that some may think we should give in order to get.  I don't think for a moment that this is what God had in mind in these two passages!  In fact, he simply reminds us of the intention of his heart - for he is the ultimate "giver"!  He gives with intent.  From creation to salvation - all is with intent.  He gives without holding back.  It costs him much to give his Son for our sins, but he did not hold back the only sacrifice capable of bringing our restoration.  He gives in such a way it counts.  In other words, his gifts aren't just nice trinkets - they are the real-deal, meeting the most important needs we have at the moment.

We are asked to give all the time - how we choose to give is another story.  It isn't the volume of what you give which matters - it is the intent behind the gift!  Just sayin!

Workmanship reflects the Workman

In the scriptures, we often hear man spoken of as God's workmanship.  A workman has a particular skill or talent which becomes evident in what is produced as a result of their work.  I think this is a pretty fair way to describe what God is - the one who creates not only who we are, but what becomes of our lives.  In the King James version, there is a text about us being God's workmanship which just speaks volumes to me:  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)  This same text is translated in one of the paraphrase versions of the Bible as:

God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do.  (Ephesians 2:10 GW)

I kind of like the paraphrase because it points out the meaning of the whole "ordained that we should" part!  God has created us - not to live our own independent lives, but in Christ Jesus - to live lives FILLED with good works.  These "good works" he has prepared for us to do - they are not random acts of kindness, but prepared, purposeful, divine appointments where we connect his love and grace with another's life through the actions we express.  

I would be remiss to take this one verse out of context and hang my hat on it as some form of doctrine, so let me explain what Paul has been writing to the church at Ephesus about.  First, he is focused on the church coming together, not with each individual doing their own thing, but in unity.  There is purpose and intent in being in unity - and it takes some getting used to as each individual has to lay down what they see as their "rights".  Paul knows the "blending" of personalities in any purposeful intent takes some amount of effort.  It is his purpose to focus on the "effort" of unity - it beginning not with what we do to accomplish this, but with what God did in us to provide the beginning of this unity!  Then he builds upon the beginning God creates and shows how even the grace to live in unity is an action of God in our lives. Apart from the "workman", the workmanship is useless!

If you have ever created something, you might have had a few "fails" in the creation process, like when you burn a batch of cookies or have a new recipe just bomb big time.  Your "workmanship" didn't live up to the potential you hoped to exhibit in the end.  This is the case with much of what we set out to do on our own - we bomb big time!  Why?  It is simple - we are God's workmanship, so trying to display our own "creative process" is kind of like telling the workman we'd rather be burnt cookies!  

In looking at our passage, we come to the point where Paul gives us the greatest hope we can ever latch onto - God has made us what we are.  Now, don't gloss over this point - God (the workman) has made (past tense) us (you and I) what we are (present tense).  Do you see anything here?  There is both past and present tense in this sentence structure.  The past tense, has made, describes the finished work of Christ in our lives.  In God's eyes, we are perfect - created in the image of God, redeemed by the blood of the perfect Lamb of God, complete in every way.  In the present tense, we are chosen to do something which reflects his workmanship like nothing else can - living lives filled with the good works he has PREPARED for us to do.  

These are good works he has prepared ahead of time for us to do.  Sometimes we set out to do something and in the end, we realize God has done something even greater than we ever imagined.  It was not because we did it, but because he prepared ahead of time for us to be an instrument of his purpose in that moment.  This is amazing to me - how God orchestrates the activities of my life and yours, totally aware of each choice we will make before we make it, and aligning every opportunity for us to display his workmanship so perfectly.  The "has prepared" is past tense, but it is lived out in the present tense.  The workman envisioned each good work - then he orchestrated the means by which his workmanship would be displayed!

Each year, we begin by doing a whole lot of "retrospective" looking - we look at what we have done in the prior year.  Then we usually turn our eyes toward what we will do differently in the new year.  We call this a time of resolutions.  I have come to the conclusion a long time ago that the best of my resolutions are really worthless because I don't know the end from the beginning!  At best, I set out on a course I hope will lead me to the desired end.  What I have come to realize is the importance of relying not on my own plan, but on the prepared purpose of the workman in my life!  In this time of "resolving" to "do" certain things this year, let's not lose sight of the "prepared" purpose of our lives.  We can only find that prepared purpose by consulting the one who created us in to fulfill these in the first place - the DIVINE workman - God himself.

So, as we "resolve" this year, let us not forget to consider the Workman in the resolutions - he has prepared much for us - getting in line with what he has prepared is the best plan for our new year.  Just sayin!

Do you use turn signals?

The other day, a friend asked me if she could ask me a question.  From the tone of her voice, I thought maybe we were going to have a "tough" conversation - like the kind where two people begin to reveal a little of their heart.  Finding the parking lot of a local retail place a little odd to begin a "deep conversation", I still said, "Okay".  One question was all she asked, and I have been thinking on it for days!  Plain and simple, here's what she asked:  "Why don't you use turn signals?"    I immediately said, "I do!"  She informed me I indeed did NOT.  Okay, now if this is not an earth-shattering question to you, don't get your undies all in a knot here - it was to me!  What I realized was the "value" of what she was asking me - this innocent question opened my eyes to the importance of the "signals" we give!

Look well at my handpicked servant; I love him so much, take such delight in him.  I've placed my Spirit on him; he'll decree justice to the nations.  But he won't yell, won't raise his voice; there'll be no commotion in the streets.  He won't walk over anyone's feelings, won't push you into a corner.  Before you know it, his justice will triumph; the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers.  (Matthew 12:16-21 The Message)

Let me just say she realized I did not signal because she was following me in her car!  So, I have to ask you - how many people do you have "following" your signals in life?  Probably more than you realize!  There are some important things I would like to share with you about the purpose of the signals we might just not realize ourselves:

- Signals reveal our intentions.  When we use our turn signals in our vehicle, don't they indicate to those following us which way we intend to turn?  One way or another, what we "signal" gets interpreted as to the intentions behind our actions.  Raise an eyebrow at someone's suggestion, and you are either showing the reaction of surprise, or are a little intrigued by it.  My youngest grandson told me I was not coming to his birthday party this weekend.  Since this was not my "intent", I began to "mock" pouting and crying.  In short order, he corrected himself and said I could come!  Immediate "signs" of joy over being invited began to flood my face.  My grandson never intended to hurt me - he just misunderstood the importance of me being part of his big day!  

- Signals commit us to a particular action.  When we signal we are turning left at a busy intersection, the last thing the others around us expect is for us to turn right!  We are "committed" to turn left because we are signaling as to our "planned action".  Now, if we had no turn signal on, then swung into this lane or that based on our "feelings" about which way to go, others following us and those in head on course with us might just be a little caught off-guard!  Going through life with no "commitment" as to the "planned actions" we might take is a little dangerous.  It gives all those around us no clue as to our intent, much less our commitment!  Intent and commitment go hand-in-hand.  What we fail to recognize is just being in the right place does not signal commitment.  Haven't you seen someone in the left hand turn lane merge back out into traffic and take off in a straight course instead?  This may seem a little elementary to you, but it is not!  When we commit, we are putting "skin in the game".  We are investing something which reveals the heart behind the intention - actions speaking much louder than the words we speak.

- Signals warn others of danger.  We also have those little "hazard" lights on our vehicles - the ones which flash both sides of our turn signals at once.  When we are having car trouble, come upon an accident, or just need to pull off the road for a little bit, we might activate these little signals to warn others to slow down, avoiding collision with us and others in front of us!  We also have some "relationship" warning lights which we need to pay close attention to.  For example, when we see our friend showing "signs" of stress such as an inability to focus on the task at hand, constant fretting over small things, etc., these are signals we should not ignore.  Left unnoticed, the tendency is for our friend to go into "overload" and begin to "melt-down".  Then we see other relationship signals, such as snapping at others, finding fault with every action of another, or even just withdrawing into one's self.  The danger comes in ignoring these "warning" lights.  What these signal is the need for someone to come alongside and render the help needed.  It may be a few words of encouragement, or maybe taking something off their list of "have-to's" to do yourself.  Whatever the need, we need to meet it!

- Signals must be used to be of value.  My friend was telling me more in one simple question than she may have ever realized.  I was in the far right lane, and I knew I was turning right.  She knew our destination, so "signaling" my intent, or commitment to turn right at the next drive did not seem important to me.  Yet, to those who follow our lead, signals are quite important.  We may never know just how many are following our lead - so being clear about our intentions and showing our definite commitment is imperative.  I responded to my friend's question with a definitive, "I use my turn signals".  Yet, she was telling me otherwise.  What I came to recognize was I was only using them when "I" interpreted their was "value" - such as when I was merging into heavy traffic on the highway, or when I desperately needed to merge into another lane in order to make a turn which would allow me to reach my destination.  The "value" is not subject to my own interpretation!  Others see my signals all the time (or the lack of them)!  When I only see value in giving "signals" at some times and not others, I will leave others constantly confused!  I don't think this is good for either of us!

So, just a few lessons my friend was teaching me in one simple question about using my turn signals.  One day, Jesus quotes from the Prophet Isaiah - in response to the religious leaders and those following him.  He says clearly what God had given to the Prophet so many years earlier:  "...the mere sound of his name will SIGNAL hope, even among far-off unbelievers!"  Jesus is the name which gives such hope.  No other name "signals" in quite the same manner - for his name signals hope, grace, and peace.  His name is above all others.  His intent is clear, his commitment sure.  The value of his "signals" are well-defined in scripture - and I believe they are evident in the lives of those who have chosen to follow him!  Remember, signals are of the greatest value to those who follow!

I hope to do a better job with the "signals" in my life - simply because I never really know who is following me at this very moment!  Just sayin....

Dropped on Purpose - Part II

¹⁵ When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. ¹⁶ And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!”

(Ruth 2:15-16)

Yesterday we began to explore the intentional work of God to provide more than we have need of - allowing us to experience what he has provided ON PURPOSE in our lives.  Ruth was in a rare situation when she was gathering the leftover grains from the fields of Boaz.  She recognized that what was left was more than what most harvesters would leave.  When she came into the realization that there was grain being left ON PURPOSE, she was humbled and felt terribly unworthy of this man's favor.

We often feel the same way about God's favor in our lives - we see ourselves as unworthy and therefore, we resist the favor he extends.  The fact is that God has placed answers in our path ON PURPOSE.  He has provided undeserved favor in our lives ON PURPOSE.  Our worthiness is not the deal-breaker here!  God doesn't wait for us to be "worthy" of his answers or his favor!  He places all that we need right where we need it ON PURPOSE even before we recognize that we need it!

Ruth was in a rare place of being able to gather among the harvesters.  She recognized that she was acquiring much more in her gleaning than she would be able to use in just one or two meals.  When she "beat out" that grain, she saw just how much she had gathered.  Naomi recognized this, as well, and is amazed at the good fortune of Ruth to have undertaken her gleaning in the field of Boaz.  If the truth be known, there are those in our lives that God has placed there by "divine appointment".  We may not fully recognize the significance of their involvement in our lives until the end of venture.  In the end, we look back and see the even their involvement was ON PURPOSE.

Here's what I hope we get from this passage:  1) God places us where we can come into direct contact with what he has provided for us ON PURPOSE.  Both our placement and the benefits of that placement have a unique purpose in our lives.  When we resist that placement - we limit the blessings of God.  2) God is purposeful in the display of his grace when we least expect it.  Ruth did not expect to find more grain in this field - yet she did.  It was purposefully placed there for her benefit.  God's graces are most often something we discover when we least expect them.  3) We can never underestimate the purpose of the ones God puts in our path.  The ON PURPOSE alignment of one with another is often not fully understood until the evidence of the journey is realized.

Not sure whose fields you might be "gleaning" from today - but I am confident that God has placed blessings in your path ON PURPOSE.  Handfuls of blessing have been dropped in your path ON PURPOSE.  Don't be in too much of a hurry to pass by what has been purposefully placed there for your enjoyment.

Dropped on Purpose - Part I

¹⁵ When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. ¹⁶ And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!”

(Ruth 2:15-16)

In the book of Ruth, we find a story of Naomi (a Jewish woman of the tribe of Judah) left all alone in a foreign country during a time of drought in Israel.  The misfortune of losing her sons and husband had fallen to her in their sojourn to find a place to wait out the great drought.  She has two daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth.  When Naomi heard that the drought had ended in Judah, she yearned to return to her homeland.  Orpah did not want to leave her family, nor her home of her youth, so she stayed behind.  Ruth declared boldly, "Where you go, I will go!"  So, off they went to Naomi's home town.

The story continues with Ruth doing what most widows of the day did - looking for a little leftovers in the fields so that she might obtain a few meals for both her and her mother-in-law.  A woman without a husband to care for her usually was taken in by a brother, or returned to the household of her father.  Ruth had neither of these advantages in a foreign land, so she did what she knew to do - glean what was leftover in the fields after the harvesters picked the grain.

Ruth was hungry - she had two choices - go home where she could find food in the care of one of her kinsmen, or glean from the fields in the land of Judah.  She had made a determination of heart that kept her in the fields of Judah.  Many of us may not have been that committed to our vow to remain loyal to another, but Ruth made a choice that superseded her desire for comfort and ease.  Ruth was what we'd call a "beggar" today.  She was essentially without a "home".  She set out each morning into the fields, apron affixed, not ashamed of her poverty.

There is something very easy to miss in this story - Ruth knew exactly what to do and where to look to have her needs met.  She knew that the best place to glean leftovers was right there among the reapers in the fields.  She followed behind those that knew how to harvest the fields.  She is seeking grain - so she goes exactly where she can expect to find it.  We'd do well to learn this lesson - going to the right source for the provision of what we need is the first step in having our need met!

Boaz is a kinsman of Naomi's - not an immediate one - but a member of the family nonetheless.  He did something that most kinsmen that far removed would not have done - he makes provision for Naomi and Ruth.  He instructs his harvesters to leave Ruth alone.  This was probably more than a subtle warning to just allow her to glean from the fields - it was also probably a stern warning to now abuse her in anyway.  He goes one step further - much like God does with the display of his grace to us - and instructs them to leave grain on the stems ON PURPOSE.  

The purpose was to meet the needs of Ruth and Naomi.  She gleans more than she can eat - she has an abundance that is greater than her need.  That is the way it is with God's graces - they are always more than we need at this very moment.  God provides so much for us that is right there when we have need of it - all of it put there ON PURPOSE in our lives.  Sometimes it is a wise word spoken in a season of need - at others it is the extra finances to cover an unexpected expense.  Whatever the need, God's provision is put there ON PURPOSE and it is more than we need!