Sunday, May 5, 2013

Keeping The Flame




KEEPING THE FLAME

How many of you have heard the parable of the Two Farmers?

“It seems there was a severe drought in the land and things were getting desperate. There were two farmers that depended on the rain to grow their crops or perish.

The farmers were both men of faith, so they prayed fervently to God for rain. After much prayer, both farmers went back to their farms and waited for the rain to come, but only one of the farmers began to dig out the dusty ground in the smoldering heat.

Both prayed, but which one really expected an answer? Was it the one who went home and did nothing, or the one who went home and prepared for rain?”

I love this parable because it illustrates how many of us operate our faith so vividly! We ‘ALL’ have a measure of faith; God says that in His Word, but we don’t always “exercise” this faith. What we pray for and what we expect are often two different things.

The Word says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6), but Scripture also says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 14:26)

So basically, even though you may have faith; if you don’t ‘act’ on that faith, it’s dead, useless.

This reality is applied to spiritual matter because we are to “Let Our Shine In The World” (Matthew 5:16) But since we need faith in all things, should it not also be applied as you Wait On Your Boaz?

Is you light flickering in the winds of life? Has it blown out? Or are you keeping that flame alive and glowing bright as you wait? Patience is the great revealer of strength and commitment. It is so much easier to give up on things we truly desire because it does not come quickly or easily.

….but then, if we give up, how truly did we actually desire it?

God never gives up His love for us. Why? Because He desires us! Even when we don’t desire Him.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15

If your God loves you enough to NOT give up on you, don’t you owe it Him and yourself NOT to give up on what He has for you? Don’t you desire your Boaz to NOT give up while you Wait On Your Boaz? Don’t you have faith enough NOT to go back and do nothing, but to PREPARE for your blessing?

Another parable comes to mind:

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.

When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’

But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour”
(Matthew 25:1-13).

Again, the scripture is clear: If you want it bad enough and have faith strong enough; you will be patient, vigilant, prepared and steadfast.

Your Boaz should be more than just finding a ‘good’ man. It should be about finding the “right” man! The man from God who will journey through life with you. One who will love and support you; lift you up and not tear you down; dry your tears from your eyes when you cry…and not cause them.

Your Boaz, should be a man who come to ‘complete’ your life. A man who helps make you better, stronger, more faithful. A man who displays the character of Christ and lives and leads by example, not pretense. He should be the man “YOU” have prayed about and prepared for, a gift from God. If he doesn’t match up with your prayers and preparation; he’s NOT the one.

So go and prepare your field…and keep the flame lit.

waitonboaz.com

No comments:

Post a Comment