Aged to Perfection

"If we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed." Oswald Chambers

Ruth and Naomi found themselves in a season of intense need. They are husbandless, alone and hungry. They find themselves in a strange set of circumstances that presents major challenges in their lives. Through their analysis of their sitation they decided that they were positioned where they could no longer benefit. They were in a severe area of need so they sought out a rescue plan to leave their city and go to Bethlehem where the "LORD was paying attention to the needs of the people in that land".

How many times have we been in this place not knowing where to turn, when to turn and how to turn? We see the LORD working in the lives of others and begin our journey to Bethlehem. We somehow feel that God has favored others over us but we still have that urge to move closer. By moving closer to the ones you see God working in their lives, we benefit from the white horse riding in to become their hero.

Until we are needy for something we cannot experience the joy of receiving. We will all come in and out of need throughout our journey in life as it is promised in Isaiah 43. "When you pass through the waters...And through the rivers...When you walk through the fire..." God presents three different dilemmas but one promise of rescue - Him.

We must be squeezed and crushed to position ourselves to become aged to perfection. Without the loss of lives of the men in our story, Ruth and Naomi would never have received the "bigger story" blessings God intended for them to receive. He has a "bigger story" for you and me but we have to be willing to travel.

Traveling out of need into provision will never be a journey that comes up empty.