The Redeemer's Covering

Recently I was thinking back on when I spent a few years in the Midwest. It was in the late 70’s. I was attending Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri at the time. It was wintertime and for some reason I felt it would be helpful to polish up on my swimming skills. So I signed up for a class. Once a week a bus would pick us up and transport us to another campus cross town which had a beautiful indoor swimming facility. Our bus driver’s name was old Sarge. He was probably in his sixties at the time and seemed like a nice enough fellow. One day after returning from swimming lessons I happened to be the last student exiting the bus. Before I hopped off, Sarge nudged me and asked me to wait, because he had something he wanted to give me. He quickly reached over to the left side of the driver’s seat and handed me a big brown paper bag. I had no idea what it could be. I curiously reached into the bag and pulled out a beautiful brand new winter coat! Amazingly, he had taken notice that I didn’t own a coat so he went out and bought me one! Sarge knew that the weather in the Midwest was a bit more brutal than California’s mild climate. He told me he wanted to make sure that I stayed covered up and warm for the winter, it was so kind and thoughtful of him. It made me feel so good that he took it upon himself to genuinely look out for me! I thanked him and have never forgotten his kindness. I’m reminded of how Ruth had lost her husband, took Naomi’s counsel and sought out Boaz as her family redeemer. “After Boaz had finished his meal and was in good spirits, he lay down beside the heap of grain and went to sleep. Then Ruth came quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. Around midnight, Boaz suddenly woke up and turned over. He was surprised to find a women lying at his feet! “Who are you?” he demanded. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.” (Ruth 3:7-9) We too need the covering of our precious Redeemer over our lives, families, cities and nation! Seriously, can we continue to survive, enjoy our traditional freedoms and prosper without His covering? What will our daily lives, the lives of our loved ones, look like in the next 3, 5 or ten years if we as a nation persist along the same compromising path? How will you personally be impacted if the collective spiritual and moral character of this world remains by and large unchanged? In scripture a women can be symbolic of the church. The church, like Ruth and Mary must remain positioned reverently, humbly in earnest service and prayer at the feet of Jesus. There she will plainly hear and submissively follow His voice. Like Ruth, she must become ever increasingly desperate for greater intimacy, protection and provision. Like Mary, she must pursue a wholehearted single mindedness to minister and follow in the same spiritual footsteps of Jesus. Yes, incessantly adore Him, but also do the things He did as He commanded us to do! We don’t want to be caught uncovered in winter. In many ways it feels like winter. Where is your mind and heart today? What is your focus and devotion? Are distractions overwhelming you and causing you to drift? If you’re like me, I need intentional daily shifts to keep me aligned and positioned in the heart and at the feet of Jesus. Stay covered! Like Sarge, notice, remember and reach out to those who aren’t! With respect and dignity wear the coat of many colors. Keep a firm grip on the hem of His garment and cloth yourself with the most important piece of clothing which is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Col.3:14) He’ll keep you warm in His redemptive love. Jesus, our Redeemer, covers and protects us from the onslaught and vulnerability of these dark and disagreeable worldly conditions. We certainly need another radical awakening and sovereign move of the Holy Spirit that compels us to rush and rest under the shadow of His love. There we can fill up and fuel up then gracefully spill out into a desperate and despairing world, bringing hope and transforming lives for Christ! Remain in Him! Be still under His protection, there’s peace, joy, strength and safe refuge there.