For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. . . . I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. . . . Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 2:10, 4:1-3, 5:1-2
blessing
Risk on the Threshing Floor (Scholar’s Compass)
He said, “Who are you?†And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.†And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.†– Ruth 3:9-10 (ESV)
Reflection
In Ruth’s journey in this new land, she moves from a place of blessing to a place of risk. She has seen God’s blessing in the fields as her mother-in-law’s relative, Boaz, provides her protection and an abundance of grain. It would have been easy to rest in this provision and create a comfortable home with Naomi. But she is called to do more, relying on these gifts to step out further into God’s plan. Neither she, nor Naomi, are complacent with the mercy they receive. In order to carry on the family blood line, a marriage needs to take place with a kinsman redeemer – and that is Boaz. So, Ruth, with Naomi’s urging, goes to the threshing floor at the end of the day to ask for this redemption. A place where a decent woman would never dare to go. [Read more…] about Risk on the Threshing Floor (Scholar’s Compass)
In the Fields of Blessing (Scholar’s Compass)
And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers,“The Lord be with you!†And they answered, “The Lord bless you.†– Ruth 2:4 
(ESV)
Reflection
As we continue through the story of Ruth we are now in the midst of the barley fields ready for the harvest. From his first steps into the story, Boaz recognizes God’s presence among the workers in the field as he greets the reapers with the words “The Lord be with you.†(2:4) 
Then Boaz follows God’s command to have his reapers leave remnants in the field so people could come behind to glean the leftovers. This was a practice that God required. [Read more…] about In the Fields of Blessing (Scholar’s Compass)
How Are Faculty and Students “Blessed to Be a Blessing?â€
Three weeks ago, I began taking the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course at my church. Founded in 1974 and organized by the US Center for World Mission, Perspectives explores “the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of world evangelization.†It’s a required course for many people joining the missions field, and it seemed like a good follow-up to Urbana 12, as well as a good way to get to know some new people at my church and in my community.
We’re currently in the biblical foundations section of the course. One of the central concepts in Perspectives is that God’s people are blessed to be a blessing. That is, we are not merely chosen, saved, or blessed merely for our own sake (as important as that might be), but God’s work in our lives is intended to flow outward to other people, ultimately filling the whole earth. This has been part of God’s mission from the very beginning. His covenant with Abraham explicitly includes the whole earth in his plan:
I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Gen. 12:2-3)
This promise continues throughout the Hebrew Scriptures[1. For example, read through the list of “David’s Mighty Men” at the end of 2 Samuel and count the number of Gentiles included among them.], and, of course, the blessing to the nations is central to the Great Commission, to the last half of Acts, and most of Paul’s letters. The blessing to “all peoples on earth” is ultimately fulfilled in the vision given to John in Revelation 7:9, when he sees “a great multitude…from every nation, tribe, people and language” worshipping Christ. Further, this “blessing” isn’t merely about being saved or have the “right” religion — it affects the whole of life. Andy Crouch and others have noted this intriguing part of the description of New Jerusalem at the end of Revelation:
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. (Rev. 21:24-26)
It’s hard to know exactly what this passage is describing, yet it’s clear that, in some way, commerce and culture will continue as part of the life of New Jerusalem. Some interpret the “glory and honor of the nations” to be the best parts of culture from every people group.
Naturally, my thoughts turned to faculty and graduate students during this section of the course. One of my favorite aspects of working with the Emerging Scholars Network has always been hearing about the tremendous variety of disciplines, specialties, and research topics pursued by ESN members. As a hopelessly curious generalist, I live vicariously through the many scholars and teachers that I meet through ESN, even though I can’t always follow the finer details of their research. This idea — blessed to be a blessing — seemed like a perfect fit for ESN members. Yes, we definitely have struggles, and I don’t want to downplay those, but we also enjoy tremendous blessings, in terms of ability, opportunity, education, and privilege that 99% of the world will never get to experience.
Rather than offer my own examples, I want to hear your ideas. How can faculty and students be a blessing to others? How is your research, teaching, and service part of God’s mission? How does your work make the world a better place and bring “glory and honor” to God?Â