#laborinlove by: Julie Wicker
The definition of Love is an intense feeling of deep affection. John Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement once said, “Oh let no man think his labor of love is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear”. One of the greatest love stories ever told is that of Boaz and Ruth, a story that shows the true meaning of laboring in love.

Ruth has been through many trials including the loss of her husband, yet her continued love and faithfulness for her Mother-in-law shows favor in the eyes of Boaz who is said to be Ruth’s Guardian Redeemer a reflection of our redemption story. Here is Boaz’s first meeting with Ruth;
Ruth 2: 8-12 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 the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
We are all laboring in our own fields. We all have a back story to tell. You may be working hard to accomplish your goals and dreams, wondering when it’s your turn to reap the harvest. We read in 2 Tim 1:6-7NIV, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline”. I strive to have the self-discipline that Ruth has shown here, never to give up. Always strive to labor in love because God’s favor is over you and in God’s perfect timing, you will reap your harvest. My favorite scripture to lean on when I am in the fields of in the middle of hard work and determination is, Col 3:23-24 NIV “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”.

#prayer #harvest
Father,
We look to you for your strength and seek your face always 1Chron 16:1. We want to fan your flame, which is in us. You have given us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, not to be timid 2 Tim 1:6-7. We stand on your promise that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us Phil 4:13. Equip us with everything good for doing your will, and may you work in us what is pleasing to you, through your son Christ Jesus, to whom be the glory Heb 13: 21. Your story is written on our hearts to be known and read by everybody, not written on tablets of stone but our human hearts 2 Cor 3:2-3. We want to share your good news, that whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, your son, and that by believing we may have life in His name Jo 20:31. You are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to your work that is within us. To you be the Glory and Honor forever and ever Eph 3:20-21.
In Jesus name we pray Amen