“BOAZ, SPREAD YOUR WING” #thewait

Ruth 3:1-18  ; Lamentations 3:25-26 ;Psalms 33:20-22; Isaiah 40:31

We are finally getting to The Scene that the book of Ruth has been known for and the beginning of a sweet sweet love story. Yet this love story didn’t start like we are accustomed to. It started with risk. I know we say love is a risk in itself but this was accompanied with great uncertainty and shame was a possibility if it were to backfire. Arguments have emanated from this chapter causing conflict in reasoning and opinion in the dating scene. “Should a woman pursue? Is it right? Should she make her intentions known? Did Ruth go too far? etcetera.

I’ll loop you in on the details: It started with great intentions from a well meaning mother (Ruth 3:1-2) “My daughter shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you” perhaps guided by customs as it were to seek out a redeemer 

As these intentions were being internalized by Ruth, Naomi throws in a spa treatment which also seemed like  a means of persuasion. “Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor..”(verse 3) Like any mother, there is always advise that is alluded as life and death if it isn’t considered “……..but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.” 

In my imaginative element, as I envision the word in a theatrical version, I like to think that aside from Ruth being obedient to Naomi (Ruth 3:5-6) and honoring her as her covering, she had had a couple of “lunches ” with Boaz and got to know each other. It’s the only explanation I find sufficient to explain her courage to do the inconceivable. Nevertheless, this act of boldness landed her in a position necessitating the cultivation of one of the hardest fruits of the Holy Spirit or perhaps the one we like least : patience translated wait . 

(Ruth 3:18) “Sit still my daughter until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” 

Have you found yourself in situations where everything seemed to add up only to receive a  later instruction that you had to wait? Or what’s worse, when you are on the path (which you didn’t even ask for  in the first place) and all of a sudden the fruit of patience is to be manifested in your life? An idea had been planted in Ruth’s head and it was only natural that anticipation sprung up from inside her. Ruth found herself in a situation most girls (and boys) wouldn’t want to be in , unsure whether it will be a happily ever after or an unrequited kind of love.

Indefinite waiting, is what it might’ve seemed to Ruth albeit Naomi’s confidence in Boaz and I wonder if you are in a season of waiting that seems indefinite and you’re surrounded with questions like: Until when? How long? . I implore you to rest on the promise in (Isaiah 30:18) that all who wait for God are happy (CSB)…. the lucky ones (MSG) ……Blessed (NKJV) …….Fortunate (AMP)

It is natural to go into seasons of waiting with preconceived ideas of the outcome but God’s best is better than our best. His plans over our lives are better than our own dreams.

Like Ruth, may you find boldness to head into the scary and uncomfortable because therein lies your breakthrough. May you dip your feet and test the waters before you mentally close the door to your destiny due of fear. May God reward you as you wait on Him. May He strengthen your heart (Psalms 27:14) and may you continually make the resolve to wait on the Lord (Psalms 130:5) You will not be ashamed . May the Lord give strength to you and May He bless you with peace as you wait. (Psalms 29:11). God will always give an answer. Leaving things half done will never appear in God’s CV. Rest on the truth that His plan is perfect and so is His timing. Cling to the beauty of His word.

You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.