Things Are Happening

My car has been in the shop the last couple of days. I've had to get someone to bring me to the office which means my car is not outside as usual. I am in the middle of a summer youth program and parents drop off their middle and high school students for the youth enrichment program I teach. Well, I've noticed that parents and their children will sit in their cars because they don't see my car. There is no activity or movement outside the building during this time in the morning. But on the inside, there is much activity. Students that have already arrived are preparing for the day's activities. Interns are working and getting ready to do the work of the day. I am usually finalizing any details for the day. All of this is going on inside the building. But you can't see it from the outside.

I notice one parent will drive up and just sit, assuming because they don't see my car, I'm not there. And assume that because they don't see activity, nothing is going on. And the funny thing is, another parent will drive up and sit because they notice the other parent waiting so they in turn make the same assumption.

This hit me as a life lesson. Often times we don't see things going on, but that doesn't mean things aren't happening. We are spirit beings and the spirit realm invisible so we assume God is not at work because what we need has not manifested. But let me assure you, God is working on your behalf. Don't just sit and stay parked and assume nothing is happening in your life. Don't just use your physical eyes. Get up and open the door and see God at work!

Matter Settled!

So I was preparing a sermon on a totally different topic than this blog post, but in my study, I came across Ruth 3:18.

“Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today." (NIV)

 

A Very Brief Background

Ruth is the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Both Naomi and Ruth’s husbands have died. Ruth decided to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi. In doing so, a series of events led to Ruth meeting Boaz, a wealthy and well-respected man. Ruth catches the eye of Boaz. He inquires more about her. Naomi advises Ruth as to how to approach Boaz. Ruth does as Naomi instructs. As a matter of tradition Boaz had rights to marry Ruth, but there was someone with greater rights to her than him. Boaz, as the respectable and seasoned man he was, tells Ruth that if the other guy doesn’t claim her, he would definitely do so. Ruth goes back to Naomi and tells her all that happened. Now we get to verse 18.

“Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today." (NIV)

This passage is full of wisdom from the elder woman, Naomi sharing her wisdom with the younger woman, Ruth—to Ruth listening and heeding the words of wisdom. But the part that I noticed that I had never zoned into is: “For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

 

The Real

Honey, chile, if he wants you, he will not rest until the matter is settled! That’s one thing any man will tell you. When they are clear that you are the one; when they have removed all doubt about whether you are the one they want, they will not rest until the matter is settled. As women we always say, “He just needs to tell me.” Baby girl, he will. Many women are not clear about if a guy wants them, but if you aren't clear then he hasn't settled the matter. We say that they send mixed messages and sometimes he’s on and sometimes he’s off.  We mistake niceness for more than what it is. We overanalyze every word of every conversation to see if perhaps…maybe…probably…he wants me.  We make tons of excuses as to why he isn’t doing anything to show us that he wants to spend time and be with us. Girl, if he does he will settle the matter. And if he hasn’t then he hasn’t.  Either he’s not ready to settle the matter or just doesn’t want to settle it with you. Bottom line: When he’s sure, he will settle the matter. You have to decide whether you want to wait as Ruth did for the matter to be settled. Ruth had to settle the matter in her heart as well. (side note: be sure he is worth the wait)

Please hear me, if he does want you…if he is sure that you are the one for him…you will know.

 

How will you know?  

 

“For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

 

Don’t believe me?

 

Read Ruth 4:13 “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife.”

 

MATTER SETTLED!

Let Him Love You

I had an experience this week that revealed an area of insecurity I thought I had dealt with. And had it happened with anyone else, I would have brushed it off. But it was with the one I love...the one I trust most in life...and I didn't immediately let him into that space. I hurt him because of that. I'm grateful that he loved me enough to walk with me through that momentary insecurity.

It is a reminder that deliverance must be maintained. We must always be vigilant to maintain our freedom from past issues. When we give something to God, He is able to support us through the process but don't be fooled for one moment that Satan won't come back to test that deliverance. When we overcome disabling beliefs, we must be careful not to let laziness of thought, judgments from  society, family, media, etc., or complacency let us slip back into those disabling beliefs. 

And sometimes when we allow those insecurities to rise, we hurt those around us. And my sisters, sometimes we hurt the man in our life when don't trust him enough with that part of us. The man that God has in our lives--not the guy you just hooked up with or the guy that you are just with right now--I mean the one God has placed in your life. The one that has earned the right to be in that space with you. That man is a God-send and can sometimes see you and love you better than you can yourself in these moments of insecurity. He wants to love you and hold you. He wants to affirm you and honor you. LET HIM! God sent him into your life knowing these moments will come. And God equipped him to love you through it. And guess what? He will if you let him.