Thought for the Week from Day by Day with God - week beginning Sunday 7 March 2010

Just get on with it!

Ruth 3 (NIV)

'Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor.''

Ruth's story is the stuff on biblical legend. I'm not sure if many female Christians would agree with her mother-in-law's advice but, the way I see it, Naomi was a wise woman. She recognised that sometimes people (Boaz being the person in this case) need to be pushed to do what is necessary.

I liken Ruth's story to the current phenomenon of internet dating websites. Some Christians believe that when it comes to courting and marriage, using the internet is not the way to do it. The argument against this is that if we want something, surely there isn't anything wrong with going to look for it? It's like job-hunting. There's not much point in sitting at home and waiting for a job. We have to go out there, apply for a job and get it.

As a burgeoning writer, I sent off my book manuscripts to a number of publishers. I deleted 'No' from my dictionary and I'm not ashamed to say that I pestered some editors until finally, worn down by me persistent stalking, they capitulated and gave me a writing commission. If I hadn't done that, who knows where my writing ministry would be now? A fellow writer tells the story of a screenwriter who submitted a screenplay for a television series 26 times before it was accepted. He kept on trying until he struck gold.

There are many ways to hear from God, and sometime the answer is right in front of us. All we have to do is reach out and take it. We might not want to do this because it would take us out of our comfort zone - into the fear of rejection - but ask yourself this: what is the worst that could happen?

Reflection

Be honest. Are you waiting for God to reveal his will to you, or has he done it but you're not willing to follow it through because it will take you our of your comfort zone?

Abidemi Sanusi

This reading is taken from Day by Day with God , published every four months in January, May and September.

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