I am reading a study with some gals that I've done before about the story Ruth in the Bible by Kelly Minter. We're going through this book and studying her actions and her words, as well as those of Naomi and Boaz...and the insightfulness is astounding. And Beautiful.
Today I was prompted to Read Isaiah 54:1-5. To be truthful, I almost didn't read it because I've read that section of scripture a bunch of times, and I know just what it says. However, I decided to go back and read it again today.
____________________________________________________________________
Isaiah 54:1-5
"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." says the Lord.
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.
Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For you Maker is your husband - the Lords Almighty is his name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth."
_____________________________________________________________________
I read this and am astounded by it. The hope it exudes just blows my mind. I wonder as the tears fall over these words if I am the only one who weeps over this scripture? Do other people sit and cry over this verse...there must be others...
This God we serve is a God of redemption - beautiful, extravagant, abundant redemption. That's the piece that gets me...the "more"quality of his fulfillment. More, More and More. He calls the people of brokenness to hope in the place of empty. To SING, and burst into song even in that place...because of what he IS going to do! He is not going to leave any of us broken. He is not going to leave any of us with nothing. He is not going to leave us in our shame.
Instead, God is going to fill us up to the brim in a manner of massive fullness!
This resonates with me as I am one who loves fullness. I love more. One step into my house will quickly show you this. I am not a minimalist...I thrive on color and fabric and uniqueness.
I love when my house is full. I enjoy stepping over children, pushing past chairs, weaving through chaos with the sound of life, laughter and peace all around me. This is my happy place. This brings me life.
So sometimes when I look at my current life of single childlessness I cannot help but ask God some questions. Often they revolve around "when." And sometimes these questions even revolve around "why."
But this verse calls me to hope in a fullness that I do not yet know or even see. And there is not just an abstract hope that I'm supposed to cling to...I am even to prepare for fullness.
"Enlarge the place of your tent."
"Stretch your tent curtains wide."
"Strengthen your stakes."
.....because they are going to need to be STRONG for what is coming....for the beautiful, redemptive, jam-packed fullness that is coming...
So wherever we are -
whoever you are -
whatever our "barrenness" entails -
hope and prepare, hope and prepare...
Because God is going to do something amazing. Redemption is coming.
