Diligence.
Ruth 2:7b
“So she came, and she has continued from early morning until
now, except for a short rest.”
Diligence. We can say that Ruth did everything by the book. It
is obvious that she knew the Leviticus law that allowed the poor, the widows,
and the foreigners to come after the harvesters and pick up the sheaves they
let fall. But she also knew she was a foreigner, a stranger in the land. She
came and identified herself as Naomi’s daughter-in-law and asked permission to
do it. Once it was granted, she went at it and did not stop except for a quick
rest.
The barley harvest took place sometime between March and
April. I can imagine, with the heavy clothing of the time, how tiresome it
would have been working with temperatures nearing 79°F. Yet Ruth worked
tirelessly. The foreman made it a point to say that she had only taken one
short break. I wonder if some of the other gleaners weren’t as diligent. After
all, they were there for the free food. No need to make a big effort, right?
Diligence, however, is not only important, but also essential
in our life as Christ followers, our responsibility as Christians. Ruth could
have taken it easy and worked her own hours. She could have gone in there without
even asking for permission. After all, the law allowed her to do it. How many
times have we let the ball drop and not finished a job? How many of us have
lived in the should ’ve-could ’ve-would’ve of life? How many regrets do we
harbor from things that we had the ability and possibility to do and just
didn’t? I know I do. They don’t have to be big; just decisions not made, perhaps
classes not taken, diets not followed through, calls we never made, that gym
membership we bought and only used the first week. Anything. And what about
those decisions we made on the fly without doing the proper research? Or
without taking into account the repercussions that they had on others?
The good news is that we do not have to live with those
regrets. When I was younger, there was a famous saying, Today is the first
day of the rest of your life. While I don’t particularly like using
clichés, it is no less true. Today is the day to make the change. Today is the
day to start, no matter how old you are or how bad things have gotten.
Especially when others depend on you. One day, Ruth decided to go glean, and
she did not look back. But the decision alone was not enough. She needed the
diligence to finish what she started, despite the hot sun and the hard work.
She took only a short break. #getittogethergirl, go ahead, you can do
this. There will be obstacles on the road, but you can overcome them with your
determination and the power of the Holy Spirit. Ruth did. You can too.
Father, I admit that sometimes I get tired. The work is hard,
the sun is pounding, and I am tired. Help me be diligent. Help me finish what I
have started. There are others who depend on me, and I cannot let them down.
I’ll go in your name and in your power, Lord. I trust that you will give me the
endurance, the energy, and the wisdom to do what needs to be done. In Jesus’
name, amen.
My reflections:
“No one
who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit
for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62
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