Ruby Tuesdays: a Mighty Woman (part eight)

“She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” (Proverbs 31:16).

To be honest with you (and what profit would there be to be otherwise?), I don’t think I have it in me tonight to write much of anything, especially worthy words pertaining to the P31 woman. Today has not been filled with many self-titled shining moments. Today has been a “get through” kind of day. You know the type … when just “getting through” feels like a huge accomplishment all on its own.

I’m almost there … almost through and ready to put the punctuation on this day of frolicking chaos. But before saying goodnight, I wanted to take a moment and give our “mighty woman” a final look to see if she might have anything to say to me before sleep has her say over me. And without warning, wouldn’t you know it … she does—have something to say.

Thus, taking her cue, I’m going to follow in her footsteps and try to implement one of her defining characteristics. I’m going to consider this field. I’m going to take possession of it, and out of the overflow of my heart, I’m going to plant a vineyard. Hold on; I think the planting (via a word study) to be worthy of the fruit in the end.

Consider. The Hebrew word zamam meaning “… to consider, to purpose, to devise. This verb derives its meaning from the idea of talking to oneself in a low voice, as if arriving at some conclusion. It denotes the action of fixing thought on an object so as to acquire it.”[i]

Field. The Hebrew word saday meaning “ … a field, oftentimes defined more descriptively as an open field. The noun is used to describe pastureland in which flocks of sheep were fed. The word is also used to describe a field or a plot of land that was normally unfrequented and in which one could meditate without being disturbed.”[ii]

Earnings. The Hebrew word periy meaning “fruit, produce.”[iii]

Buys. The Hebrew word laqach meaning “to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring.”[iv]

Plants. The Hebrew word nata meaning “to plant, fasten, fix, to establish.”[v]

Vineyard. The Hebrew word kerem meaning “…a vineyard, an area where grapevines and their fruits are grown and cultivated intensely.”[vi]

A mighty woman, a woman worthy of a ruby’s bestowing, is a woman who houses an unseen hope and a “yet to be realized” possibility in her heart. She doesn’t just let an open field pass her by. Instead, she considers it. Talks to herself about it; fixes her thoughts on it, until she can almost taste the fruit of its vines as it passes from her lips into her soul, filling her needful longing.

Out of the overflow of that longing, she moves heaven and earth to lay hold of it and to subsequently fasten her dreams within its soil in order to cultivate its promise with all the intensity and expectancy of a pregnant woman waiting for the fruition of a nine-month laboring.

A mighty woman sees the end, even before its beginning. She cannot accurately determine the unseen bounty of the harvest, but she senses that it’s going to be good. That it’s going to be more than it was at the outset, and, most importantly, that it was hers to seed and to grow regardless of the yield.

Each and every day, friends, God presents us with an array of open fields. Untouched and undisturbed pastureland is waiting to be tilled by the possibilities and visions that we hold dear within our hearts. Your field may present itself differently than mine. God tailor paints a blank canvas according to individual preferences, needs, and giftedness. The field which you consider purposeful and ripe for the planting is meant to stir your obedience toward the relentless pursuit of purchasing, planting, and cultivating it through deliberate intention.

We cannot all harvest the same pastureland. What benefit is there in following behind and stepping over one another’s work when there is still so much open ground available for the taking? Today, perhaps even in this moment, God is presenting your heart with an unfrequented parcel of land in need of your attention. The desire to fasten yourself to its cultivating pulses within your veins until you can almost taste the fruit of your hard laboring.

What are you waiting for? What keeps you from taking that ground and walking its breadth and tilling its soil and cultivating its growth? Are you scared? Are you tired? Are you complacent? Are you lazy? Are you afraid that when you arrive on the other side of harvest time it won’t look like much … won’t harvest as amply as you intended on the front side of a dream?

I suppose you could choose to do nothing–to keep your earnings to yourself and to hold out for a time that seems to house more promise as to the outcome. But whoever sows sparingly, reaps the same (2 Corinthian 9:6), and sameness is not what God is after in the life of his children. He created us for his kingdom and for the pilgrimage of a great and consecrated commission that leads others to walk the same.

Thus, consider the field before you this day. For me, it’s been this empty computer screen, awaiting my words and hoping for an end product that yields something more than what it was at the beginning—a blank page. What it was an hour ago, was less than what it is now. What it’s worth? Well, I don’t hold that determination. God does, and in some smaller measure, you do as well.

This is my heart’s offering to you. I considered its availability. Out of the overflow of my heart, I took hold of it, fastened my intention toward its cultivation, and now I leave it in your lap for your contemplation. I pray it fruitful toward God’s higher purposes, including the purpose that he intends for you to walk this week. Thus, I pray…

Thank you, Father, for a night’s prodding that leads me to consider your timeless teachings and effectual words. Your Word is true and is everything that I need to live a godly and consecrated life. Give me the willing heart to receive your invitation to open fields this week. Give me discernment to know which ones you intend for my hands and which ones are better left to someone else’s. Sustain my heart for the harvest, even when the outcome seems unlikely and “less” than what I envisioned. Keep me faithful to the cultivation Lord; keep me faithful through to the end. Let the sowing of your grace within my heart be the storehouse from which I sow my offering for your kingdom come. Amen.

[i] Baker & Carpenter, entry for “zaman,” The Complete Word Study Dictionary OT (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), 294.
[ii] Baker & Carpenter, entry for “saday,” The Complete Word Study Dictionary OT (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), 1104-1105.
[iii] http://studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=Proverbs+31%3A16&section=0&translation=nsn&oq=&sr=1
[iv] http://studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=Proverbs+31%3A16&section=0&translation=nsn&oq=&sr=1
[v] http://studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=Proverbs+31%3A16&section=0&translation=nsn&oq=&sr=1
[vi] Baker & Carpenter, entry for “kerem,” The Complete Word Study Dictionary OT (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2003), 3754-3755.

Copyright © May 2009 – Elaine Olsen

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Please join us over at Refreshmoments for more Ruby Tuesdays’ posts. Also, if you would like to read my previous Ruby Tuesdays’ post, you can do so by clicking HERE. Shalom.

 

22 Responses to Ruby Tuesdays: a Mighty Woman (part eight)

  1. Goodmorning sweet Elaine,What a blessing to read your post.I hope you have a great day! Love, Faye

  2. Morning Elaine! Hope you have a better day. My days of late have seemed to be full of chaos. But as you often say I am pressing on. Getting ready to go to Cameron’s awards. Blessings! Love you!

  3. “A mighty woman sees the end, even before its beginning.”

    This is one of those powerful truths that rank right up there with the many that make us godly. It’s wisdom, but it’s so much more. It’s having the mind of Christ, the perspective of eternity. It’s the ability to count the cost and then forge forward. It’s big picture living, and big picture always means an eternal scene.

    For someone without much to say, you’ve said a lot. And a good lot it is.

    Blessings and hugs,
    Kathleen

  4. What a combination of wisdom and risk-taking this woman has, eh? That is a thought to ponder…

    P.S. You cracked me up with your comment. A book proposal is the last thing I’m thinking of with this series! Actually, I think folks are hating me for doing it! 🙂 but you know the deal about that!

  5. Hey, sweet one! I hope that today is filled with peace for “your” journey and some “Elaine time!”

    This post truly spoke to my heart. Have you been reading my mind? Hmm?? I think that I am in a place of complacency, and I don’t like it! I am waiting on a Word from God, and I think I heard it in your post this morning!

    I did hear from Him this morning-quite early as a matter of fact. I went out on the back porch, draped in my blanket and sat down to hear from Him. I have a hard time being still and listening. I tend to do the talking–are you suprised:)!!?Suddenly, “Be still and know that I am God” was impressed upon my heart. And, so I was still. Body and mind. It was so peaceful, and I know that I was obedient–finally. I just need to work on that obedience thing more!!

    If it doesn’t rain, I plan on searching for Kodak moments this morning. And, I plan on being still in the process to see what He needs to share with me.

    Love you!
    Susan

    I’ll call you this week!

  6. Wow. Elaine, for a “get-through” kind of day, you surely did end with an abundance! What a beautiful expression of the Proverbs 31 wife. I know the Truth and encouragement that you have sown here will yield a bountiful harvest. And, I pray that those whom the Lord leads to your seed will “treasure up all these things and ponder them in their heart” (reference Luke 2:19). Blessings for your day, dear friend!

  7. Hi there Mrs. Elaine:)

    I think that this post was a good thing for me to read, I’m looking at leaving my job soon and starting another maybe until my little one or ones is born. I need to recognize that next field or step soon…

    katiegfromtennessee

  8. Elaine, dear friend, thank you again for a sword of God’s truth that pierced right through my soul. I so needed that word today, and I appreciate your faithfulness as the mighty woman of God you are.

    I pray your day be filled with peace and blessing in His name.

    Love,

    Andrea

  9. I’ve had a lot of “get through” days lately. Thank you for this post.

  10. Hi there Elaine! I know exactly how you feel. Lord knows I’m feeling the same. Praise God for his word and how he always sends it as a comfort during these times!

    Awesome message!

    Love, Hugs and Prayers,
    Kennisha

  11. Elaine,
    First of all, I’m impressed that you’ve stuck with these installments…even when you haven’t felt up to it.

    Even in your drought your words still deliver needed nourishment and satisfying insight.

    I love these words: “Each and every day, friends, God presents us with an array of open fields. Untouched and undisturbed pastureland is waiting to be tilled by the possibilities and visions that we hold dear within our hearts.”

    Your words arrest my thoughts and cause me to ask, “What am I waiting for? What is the field that I’m called to plant and harvest?”

    Thank you again for helping me regain my center and focus on what is real and true.

    Love and prayers,
    Kelli

  12. Whoa…this is a powerful post, Elaine. And you thought you didn’t have it in you to write tonight? Amazing! These words ring true in my spirit today.

    I’ve had way too many “get through” days lately. Time to plant a vineyard…

  13. It was indeed fruitful. Thank you for a timely, powerful devotion that is a faith-confirmation for me. I don’t see the end, but I trust that it’s going to be good. For our God is GOOD!

  14. Elaine, what an interesting word picture you painted today! It has encouraged me to look for what may grow from the planting I have done and not to just see the empty field!

    The strangest thing just happened! Something caught the corner of my eye and I looked over at the window on my right. My Yucca plant is in full bloom! It was blowing in the wind and bent over enough that I could see it through the window. It’s on a side of the house that I don’t go to very much and the last time I looked at it, the plant just seemed to be a tall, dry stalk. Now it’s in full white blooms!

    Marilyn

  15. I hope your day was wonderful! I could use your input tomorrow on my blog–I have a field in front of me but I don’t know how to harvest it!

  16. I have always loved this verse. It’s a responsibility we all have to take extra care. Being diligent with what field we have been given and doing much with it. I am honored always that God thought so highly of us women that we could handle these matters.

  17. I just love me a good word study, Elaine!

    This one is no exception. The breakdown of the words of this scripture really made me think. They seem so straightforward, but we take so much for granted–at least I do.

    I want to be like this woman. Seeing my dreams in the open field. Trusting Him for them.

    This was lovely, a real ruby.

  18. Elaine,

    Getting through is an accomplishment that we can not even do without the power of the Holy Spirit in us to do sometimes. And when we depend on Him to do that, He gets the glory there too.

    Your post was really wonderful! Isn’t God good?

    Christy

  19. Oh, I love the image of gleaning behind someone else… we’re just getting the scraps… and that we should sow and reap the field assigned to us… mught to be thought about today… dear friend!

  20. Oh Elaine, I have been considering a field and asking God to give me clear direction, to confirm that I am the one to work this field. I think I just got my answer! Thank you! And praise God!!

  21. This says it all:

    “We cannot all harvest the same pastureland. What benefit is there in following behind and stepping over one another’s work when there is still so much open ground available for the taking? Today, perhaps even in this moment, God is presenting your heart with an unfrequented parcel of land in need of your attention. The desire to fasten yourself to its cultivating pulses within your veins until you can almost taste the fruit of your hard laboring.

    What are you waiting for? What keeps you from taking that ground and walking its breadth and tilling its soil and cultivating its growth? Are you scared? Are you tired? Are you complacent? Are you lazy? Are you afraid that when you arrive on the other side of harvest time it won’t look like much … won’t harvest as amply as you intended on the front side of a dream?”

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