"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36
Wouldn’t faith be more enjoyable, comfortable, and seemingly “easy” if we didn’t have to walk through seasons of wilderness? I think if you asked most people this question, especially on a hard day, they’d say without hesitation, "Yes!". Then, at a moment's notice, because of God’s loving-kindness, we’d be reminded of all the stories shared in scripture regarding the wilderness and the same truth woven through each situation: God was there—working, redeeming, and writing His incredible story.
God is always our present help. He is the one guiding, directing, and protecting His people as they navigate the terrain before them. In their willingness to follow and not throw in the towel, their faith begins to flourish, and God's grace rests tenderly in the hearts of those who receive it. We find that those in the wilderness soon find themselves overcome by the faithfulness of God to give them what they need to see them through to the other side.
This reminds me so much of Ruth's story and her kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Ruth's story is anything but easy. It's marked by many wilderness seasons. Unimaginable loss and grief, yet her heart sought the one true God. From the incredible gift of her faith, God's redemption plan, and Boaz's love for God and Ruth, we see His grace and mercy so evidently poured out over both of their lives, one being the birth of their son Jesse, who would go on to be the father of King David.
Ruth 4:13-17 says, "So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David."
Over the years, as I've learned from Ruth's story, I've often thought about her journey to motherhood. While we don't hear much at all about how motherhood went for her, I can assume in many ways she felt the same way most mothers have felt, and that is this: motherhood is a life-long calling that won't be easy and will also be marked by seasons of wilderness.
This had me wondering that if the same question were asked that I shared at the beginning of this devotion, except in regard to motherhood, I believe most moms would answer the same. “Wouldn’t motherhood be more enjoyable, comfortable, and seemingly “easy” if we didn’t have to walk through the seasons of wilderness?”
If this question were posed after enduring a difficult season parenting toddlers, tweens, teens, or even adult children, mothers would probably want to answer, "Yes!". However, in the very same way as our faith, mothering with complete ease wouldn’t grow us; we wouldn’t flourish into the women of God we’ve been called to be. The wilderness seasons in life and in motherhood produce a trust, endurance, and lasting impact—a generational impact—that could only be created and orchestrated by our Almighty God.
Just as Ruth had to trust God and walk in and out of many seasons of wilderness as she was called to go to a new place and marry the kinsman redeemer of her mother-in-law's family, we too, must trust God while having a firm faith and motherhood willing to endure for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.
We live to share the greatest gift on earth, and that gift is Jesus. If it takes the seasons of wilderness for us to grow in endurance, then we have to find a place for praise while we're in the valley. We're told in Hebrews 10:36, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Enduring for Christ, His Kingdom, and our children will bring the most incredible eternal reward.
Pray with me...
Father, thank you for the gift of a relationship with you. Though we will walk through seasons of wilderness in life and motherhood, would you remind me that you draw us to deeper faith in the valleys? Your heart is for us in all circumstances, and you walk with us in every trial and every moment of victory. Help me to be a woman and mother who faithfully endures for you and your Kingdom!
Photo Credit: ©Patrick Schneider/Unsplash
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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