Day 9: So, what’s the {plan}?

As it turned out, she (Ruth) found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.  Ruth 2:3 niv

So, Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me.  Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here.  Stay here with my servant girls.  Watch the field where the men are harvesting and follow along after the girls.  I have told the men not to touch you.  And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.   Ruth 2:8 & 9 niv

So, what’s the {plan}?

That is the {plan}.  Naomi (teaching Ruth the ways of her people) and Boaz – they were each working the {plan}, which God set in place through the Mosaic Law* to care for the poor and widows.

That’s the {plan}.

I always want to know – what’s the {plan}?  Not because administration is my spiritual gift.  It’s not.  However, I am a first-born, responsible, feel-more-secure when I have structure and an outline kind of lady.  I often break the plan because there are not enough hours in a day to do everything I need and want to do.

Nevertheless, I like to know…  what’s the {plan}?

I love the multi-layered {plans} of God.  He has a good plan for us – His children.  He sets up a parameter within which we are able to participate in His plan for us.  While at the same time He, Sovereign God, is fulfilling His bigger plan set forth from before the foundation of the world.

The picture in my mind is a shepherd and his sheep.  The shepherd makes sure the sheep have a safe pasture in which to dwell, food to eat and clean water to drink.  The sheep have the responsibilities they are able to handle.  And the sheep do what they do – day in and day out.  Meanwhile, the Shepherd has a greater overarching plan with

Meanwhile, the Shepherd has a greater overarching plan with the far greater responsibility to ensure his sheep are safe from predators, remain healthy – free bugs, eating nutritious foliage, and drinking safe water, and on and on and on… The shepherd cares for his sheep and he is fulfilling his good plan to maintain a healthy and productive flock. (5 minutes)

Naomi and Ruth were both widows who were living in community and care for under the plan God set in place for them and many in similar circumstances.  Meanwhile, as each one – Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz – did the next thing they knew to do day by day, God was fulfilling His greater plan to send His Son, our true Redeemer.

Sometimes I want to know the bigger {plan}.  I can get distracted wondering what will happen to us?  Will there be another job for my husband?  Will he get well?  Should we sell our home?  Will I be alone?  Should I seek a higher paying job?

I can work myself into quite a teasy because I don’t have any of the answers to any of those bigger plan questions right now.  Each and every time as I fret and sob my way back to Jesus’ feet, He gently cups my chin and lifts my head to meet His eyes.  He reminds me – I am His sheep and He is my Shepherd.

 

Ponders:

All I need to do is my sheep stuff.  He’ll take care of the rest.  And this is where He leads me…  Psalm 37:1-7  There’s plenty here for me to take care of on a daily basis.  This is His plan for me today.  So, Lord, my Shepherd, remind me to do this sheep stuff today…and leave all the rest of the big plan to You… for You are able and I am not.  Thank You, Jesus-Shepherd, for loving me.  Amen.

 

• Does Psalm 37:1-7 help you to focus on what you can do today?  Do you see this as a {plan} you can fulfill?
• What other Scripture do you find yourself going back to when you can’t figure out the bigger {plan}?
• Would you share your own story of wanting to know the {plan}?  How did God meet your needs in the middle while He was fulfilling His bigger {plan} for your life and for His Kingdom?

 

* Leviticus 19:9, 23:22 and Deuteronomy 24:19