Compassion in the Field - Friday August 29, 2014
Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her. Ruth 2:15-16 NIV
Have you ever felt like you didn't belong? I sure have. Ruth did too. She knew that she didn't belong in the town she was in or in the field where she was gathering food.
Have you ever needed something that would cost someone else? I sure have. Practical needs seem more obvious, but what about relational needs? Listening, affirmation, quality time, gifts, being valued, hugs, acceptance, and belonging are all needs I have, and they cost the people around me. My needs cost people time, thought, effort, selflessness, and willingness.
Have you ever felt shamed or embarrassed for having needs? The other day I felt so humiliated. Apparently I had crossed the line, and the person let me know it. The next day in my quiet time God spoke to me with such compassion, "I will not embarrass you or rebuke you. You can cross the line with me, and I'm okay with it."
God and I understand that I don't belong, but He is okay with letting me in His field anyway. God understands that I have needs, and He will not embarrass me or rebuke me for getting my needs met in His field. It cost Him a lot! My belonging came at the price of His Son and my needs come at the price of His kingdom, but He is okay with that. God's love is lavish and His compassion unending. It compels me to want to love others in ways that give grace for their needs.
Submitted by:
Kelley Downie
Cedarcreek Community Church
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
One-Year Reading Plan:
Job 31:1-33:33
2 Corinthians 3:1-18
Psalms 43:1-5
Proverbs 22:8-9
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SCRIPTURE REFERENCB-ES: Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible B) The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the Holy, Bible, New International Version, copyright B) 1973, 1978, 1984 by InternaB-tional Bible Society; (NKJV) are from New King James Version B) 1982 by Thomas Nelson; (NLT) are from the New Living Translation, B) 1996, Tyndale House Publishers; (ESV) are from English Standard VersionB., B) 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers; (TM) are from The Message B) 1993 by NavPress Publishers.