Minister Carmin A. Frederick
Ruth 2:2, 17:18

Go to Work 

On February 24, 2009, I experienced a tremendous loss. A loss that over 50% of those who choose to get married experience. Despite the growing statistics of this loss, to me it was one of the greatest losses that I have ever experienced. On February 24, 2009, I was officially divorced. To me the loss of my marriage was the loss of many of my dreams. Dreams of building a financial future with my now ex-husband were now lost. Dreams of raising our 4-year-old son in a two-parent home were now lost. Dreams of growing together were now lost.

Maybe you are not going through a divorce, but you are experiencing some lost dreams. Maybe it is the physical loss of a loved one. Maybe it is the loss of a home. Maybe it is the loss of a job. Maybe it is the loss of your God-given purpose and identity. Maybe it is the loss of income that you have grown so accustomed to having. Maybe you are still mourning the loss of your last Pastor.

In this Biblical text, Ruth has also experienced losses. Ruth has no children and has lost her husband, and Ruth has lost her homeland. In the historical context of the Bible Ruth had ultimately lost her purpose. Ruth, however, does not give up. She, instead provides a model for us of what to do when we experience losses.

In chapter 2 verse 2, Ruth says “I am going to work…” In chapter 2 verses 17-18 Ruth gives an example of the type of work she does in the face of losses. Ruth gleans, Ruth threshes, and Ruth gives. Gleaning in this text means to gather grain after the regular reapers or regular gatherers. She in essence gathers what will sustain her and meet her basic needs. To thresh is to separate the part that is consumable from the part that is not. In other words, the part that is good from the part that is bad. Finally, Ruth gives. To give means to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation. So after we have experienced losses, we should take some time to gather that which will sustain us. Thresh the good from the bad in all areas of our lives. And finally, we should give just as Jesus gave.

Prayer 

Lord, in the midst of the many losses that we are facing as individuals, as families, as communities, as a country, and as the world, please show us what work we need to do such that we might gather, separate, and give in ways that build Your kingdom. Help us to gather, separate, and give in ways that show just a portion of the love You have shown us. Amen.

Thought for the day 

Today I will gather, separate, and give in Jesus’ name.