The Devotional Diva - And The Eyes Have It!

By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries

“Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them.” Ruth 2:8-9a (NAS95)

I love the book of Ruth. One day I want to be an expert on it! But for now I will settle for simply being enthralled by the plot, the characters and its happily-ever-after ending.

As I prepared to spend some time alone with God, I wondered over what I should read this morning to help me with all my troubles. Heavens, where do I start? Should I pursue the writings of John or perhaps James? As I wrestled over what direction to begin with, a new thought occurred to me, “Why can’t I just read the Bible for fun?”

I can’t speak for you, but when I signed up for adventure this year, I think I got in the wrong line! Like you, I’d experienced my fair-share of challenges this year. Challenges bring questions and questions beg for answers. So off I go to hunt for the answers that will fix all my problems. However, it just dawned on me that I have spent so much time trying to find fixes for my faults I have forgotten to have some fun!

I can just picture God rolling on the floor of heaven laughing at this slow learner and the angels shouting, “Duh! Here’s your sign!” So read for fun is exactly what I did. I freed my mind from attempting to read my Bible for answers to all my life’s questions. I dismissed delving into the pages just to find spiritual application. I only wanted to read what the most awesome writer in the world wrote!

So I jumped into Ruth content to read one of the older stories penned by the Author of my faith. He is the Eternal Writer that this pseudo-writer will meet one day face to face. I found my time was exciting and I wasn’t disappointed with the moments I spent enjoying each delicious word on the page.

In fact, my reading fun turned out to be very enlightening. As my eyes glazed over verses 8 and 9 of Ruth chapter 2, it felt as if someone was whispering to me, “What fields are you gleaning in today? Are they the ones I placed you in or are you trying to glean in another’s field?”

Who knew could God would speak to you if you were only reading for fun! I was delighted and I didn’t miss His lesson either!

I surmise that God has many fields and Jesus told us that they are ripe unto harvest. But I guess I need to determine if some of my challenges stem from trying to glean in a field meant for another to harvest. Have I left the one God asked me to stay in? I must also ask myself if I am even in one of God’s harvest fields at all or one of the devils?

Many hundreds of years ago, Boaz told Ruth to keep her eyes on the field where His servants were gleaning. We’d be wise to follow this sound advice even in 2009. Admit it, where our eyes go - we usually follow.

It’s no accident that God revealed this to me at the moment He did. I have a feeling I’ll be leaning on that principle very soon. You’d be wise to do the same. And all this from reading the Word of God for simple enjoyment! In doing so, I learned more that I bargained for!

In closing, let me recap two things today:

First, when you God read for fun, you might just get a few godly fundamentals thrown in along the way! Second, it might behoove all of us to determine what our eyes are going after, to do an address check of the fields where we are gleaning and make sure we know whose servants we are following.

So later today when you spot your Bible lying on the table, go ahead – let the eyes have it!

Barbara




Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.

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