Chapter 2: Lady of Diligence
- No Time to Waste
Understanding God’s promise for widows, Naomi sent Ruth to gather grain in the field of a kinsman. Ruth was willing to use her life working diligently at what her Lord called her to do. “And Ruth the Moabites said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter’ ” (Ruth 2:2) She also did not allow the fact that she was a stranger from Moab to cause her to fear while she was gleaning in a strange field. She was not afraid to walk into a totally unfamiliar situation.
Countless single women stay home rather than travel alone into the unknown. They not only miss out on being encouraged by others but also are not exposed to new relationships when they remain at home tied up by cords of fear and feeling sorry for themselves.
“Serving the Lord brings such inexpressible joy.”
- Free to Follow
Are you busy serving Jesus during your free time, or do you waste hours trying to pursue and snag an available guy? Ruth did not waste a moment feeling sorry for herself. She went right to work.
Ruth bound herself to the service of the Lord, interweaving her service with Him like the braiding of a heavy rope. Isaiah 56 : 6-7 “And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve Him…these I will bring to My Holy mountain…” Are you tightly bound to the Lord, serving Him diligently or has your relationship and service been unraveling over the years as you continue to be single? You must be sensitive to the things and situations that distract you from redeeming your free time.
Here was a very attractive woman who had put her life with Jesus on hold after her world fell apart. She was trying to conceive a child when her single best friend was pregnant. What an irony: her unmarried friend was with child and she remained childless. The irony turned into a trauma when this married woman found that the father was her own husband. Imagine the devastation plus having to face such an emotional blow!
But God is not intimidated by trauma. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This brokenhearted woman had put her life on hold after her husband divorced her. But that day in the restaurant this now single woman decided to take her broken heart, her empty arms and her loneliness, and give ’em to Jesus. This once broken hearted single woman has now been transformed into a fearless servant of the Lord.
Have you also put your life on hold? Do you have an excuse for not serving Jesus?
- A Full Place setting
- Enviable Singleness
Singleness is an enviable condition. An unmarried woman has something that a married woman gives up on her wedding day: extra time for Jesus. Too many young women waste valuable years as they wait for life to begin – after marriage. They rarely realize the priceless free time they waste, until it is gone. Have you neglected some mission or ministry opportunities because you feared prolonging your unmarried state?
If you love Jesus, please do not waste any of the free time you have. Do not consider yourself too unhappy to help anyone else. Self-centeredness will rob you of the joy of serving. Satan, who is effective at distracting you from God’s best, wants you to continue dreaming about how “one day” you will get involved in ministry. He wants to sidetrack you from making a lasting investment. Too many women foolishly believe his lies. Therefore, they lose sight of opportunities to get involved in any form of outreach to others.
An excerpt from a single friend’s letter exposes this self-pitying lie: “As is usually the case, as soon as I stopped asking what was in it for me and began asking what I was meant to give, things began to improve, beginning with my attitude. I continue to grow and be greatly strengthened in my relationship with God one-on-one and to seek out where I can serve those around me.” This single woman is a classic beauty. She has learned how to use her free time for Jesus rather than sit home writing melancholy poetry.
- Unrelenting Pursuit
The Lady of Diligence embodies these terms. 1 Cor 15:58 describes her attitude toward ministry and service: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Do these terms describe your attitude and approach to using your free time for Jesus? Let’s examine how diligence affects every aspect of your service and ministry for the Lord.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Teaching
Have you been diligently pursuing truth for years but not giving out as much as you have taken in? Are you involved in a regular Bible study where you give, maybe even teach? Almost as dangerous as neglecting the Word is the habit of taking it in, but not putting it into practice. “Impression without expression can lead to depression.” Whatever service you’ve considered giving, hesitate no more; go for it!! There is no time in your life more perfect than now. Delay no more!
· Diligence and the Ministry of Encouragement
Isaiah 50:4 (NIV) says, “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary…” Your very words will be a ministry of healing and encouragement. “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Prov 15:4) Such predawn training will give you the privilege of becoming God’s garden hose in a land of many thirsty people.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Prayer
“A prayer partnership serves as one of the greatest assets for accomplishing the deepest & highest work of the human spirit: PRAYER.” Praying regularly with someone (or a small group) is such a vital part of service to God. To intercede on behalf on someone else’s need is a privilege. “Again I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.” Do you have someone with whom you can prayerfully approach God in harmony? Together you can participate in God-given prayer projects. Together you can discover how you can take your concerns for others and turn them into prayer projects.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Service
Rather than wasting precious moments fantasizing about an earthly lover, take advantage of your free hours each day to serve the Lord of Heaven. If you are frustrated and distracted, rather than fruitfully serving Jesus, then ask him right now to adjust your vision. Is there a ministry opportunity you should be working with? Why not consider a short term mission trip? Don’t worry about that certain guy you have had your eye on for a while. If he’s God’s best for you, he will be there when you return. Is there an application for a summer ministry waiting for you to fill out? Such distractions will make serving Jesus more difficult.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Writing
An encouraging letter or postcard can be read and re-read. A personal note, though, serves as oxygen to the soul of the recipient. “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Prov. 11:25b). The Lord wants you to be involved in the lives of others around you and writing is one of those opportunities.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Listening
When someone is grieving, your presence is more powerful than words. Being content to listen to someone today is a gift you can give. A listener provides a healing audience for someone who is hurting. Being content to listen is a gift you can give to someone today. It may take a gentle touch to minister to the spirit. Sometimes even the greatest songs or truths are not the appropriate thing during a crisis. This ministry requires not seminary training, but a loving, listening heart.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Hospitality
It is not producing a demo for others to see. Simply cooking for others is a significant ministry, especially during illness or bereavement. What a way to share the love of Christ with someone who needs to see Christianity in action. Do not limit your ministry of hospitality only to candlelight dinners for the man of your dreams. Think of how a beautiful, candlelight dinner for a group of single women, or even high school girls could minister to them.
· Diligence and the Ministry of Helps
This ministry require time but it is invaluable. Helping others with the “dailies” of life is a gift that breaks their exhausting monotony. Mere physical labor may seem so insignificant in comparison to church visitation, but the Word of God speaks clearly to such a misconception. “Whether you eat or drink, or watever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31) These duties can all be done unto the Lord. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not man (Col 3:23)
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