Harvest of Hope

“Ruth…asked Naomi, ‘Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?’” Ruth 2:2

Apparently, it has been a rough ride for Ruth as she has tried to settle into her new life…new community…new surroundings. We are not told how long these two women have been back, but we are told that they returned to Bethlehem at the beginning of the harvest season. Ruth no doubt had awakened each morning to Naomi’s despair and bitterness. Ruth had her own grief to work through, but she powered through her pain and decided it was time to do something different…anything different. So, she asked permission to go to work! She understood the importance of purpose and pushing through stagnant times. She was satisfied with gathering the less than perfect grain and understood that work of some kind is better than nothing. She’s ready to feel the hope of the harvest…new beginnings…fresh hope…a change from the every day. ‘It’s like she knows if she doesn’t start to put some movement in her life she’s going to fall into the cycle of defeat…Harvest always signifies a time of new life after a long dead winter.’ A Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, p. 58.

A long dead winter…I’ll bet that I’m not the only one who can describe their recent past with these words. For over two years I’ve been waiting for God to reveal ‘with whom I can find favor’. I’ve been watching the spiritual horizon, but the clouds have been thick, and the view obstructed. But seasons don’t fail us, and the spring is coming ushering in a harvest of fresh hope. As the petals of discouragement fall to the ground to make way for new life, my heart anticipates new purpose with the thoughts of new beginnings. Discouragement tells us that the best is behind us, but the thought of harvest time stirs the passion in our hearts to hope again. It dares us to move into new areas and expect great things. Hope looks forward in excitement, while discouragement keeps recalling the long dead winter.

God gave us a spirit of hope for the future, promise in the provision and will guide us to our harvest. Like Ruth, we must keep our eyes open for opportunities that God is orchestrating. We must watch for His activity and join Him where He leads. He will be faithful to complete everything that He begins. The harvest is coming…watch for it!

“Look, I tell you: open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest.” John 4:35