How To Recognize God's Guidance In Real Time | Steven Furtick

Summary

This powerful sermon uses the biblical story of Ruth to explore themes of faith, perseverance, and divine guidance through life's trials. It emphasizes that while struggles may seem overwhelming, they are part of God's plan to refine and prepare us for greater blessings. Just as Ruth gleaned in the fields, the message encourages us to look for the hidden treasures in our difficulties, trusting that God’s purpose is unfolding. The sermon highlights the painful but necessary process of threshing, where the unnecessary is removed, and only the valuable remains. Ultimately, the message promises that God will bless those who endure with faith.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life often layers us with challenges and struggles, but beneath the surface lies hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.
• 😀 We can become too focused on the stress and work in life, forgetting to recognize and appreciate the blessings and treasures already around us.
• 😀 Relationships that initially attracted us can later become sources of frustration, but it's important to remember what originally drew us in.
• 😀 The true challenge is recognizing God's presence and guidance in real-time, not just after we've made it through a difficult situation.
• 😀 Like Ruth, we must walk through life with fresh eyes, appreciating both the good and the difficult moments, trusting that God is using them for our growth.
• 😀 Hindsight often makes it easy to see how God's plan was at work in our lives, but the real test is to trust Him during the journey itself.
• 😀 Threshing is a painful but necessary process of separating the good from the bad, allowing us to identify what truly sustains us.
• 😀 We don't always know the value of something until we’ve been through a refining process—much like Ruth didn’t realize what she had until the threshing was done.
• 😀 Threshing represents a season of separation, where God uses challenges and difficult moments to blow away the unnecessary, leaving only what is essential.
• 😀 Trust that even when it feels like things are falling apart, God is in control, using the winds of life to purify and prepare us for greater things ahead.

Q & A

What does the script mean by 'life will layer you with dirt'?

The phrase 'life will layer you with dirt' suggests that life often brings challenges, hardships, and difficulties that seem to pile up, much like dirt. However, this can lead to personal growth and the discovery of deeper blessings if one is willing to look past the surface.

What is the significance of the Bible passage about the hidden treasure in the field?

The Bible passage about the hidden treasure emphasizes that valuable blessings or treasures in life are often hidden beneath layers of challenges or difficulties. To find these treasures, one must be willing to dig through the hardships, reflecting the deeper insights or blessings that can be discovered in times of trial.

How does the speaker relate relationships to the idea of opposites attracting and then attacking?

The speaker humorously describes how, in relationships, opposites often attract initially, but over time, those same differences can become sources of frustration or conflict. This reflects the challenge of maintaining perspective and gratitude for the qualities that initially attracted one to a partner.

What does the speaker mean when they say, 'You don't really know what you have until it has been threshed'?

The phrase 'You don't really know what you have until it has been threshed' signifies that the true value of something, whether it be a relationship, a job, or an opportunity, often becomes clear only after going through a difficult or challenging process. Just like grain is separated from the chaff through threshing, the essence of what is truly valuable can only be recognized after a refining or testing period.

Why is the concept of 'threshing' used in the script?

Threshing is used as a metaphor for the painful, sometimes violent, processes in life that separate the valuable (the grain) from the unnecessary or harmful (the chaff). It represents the trials and struggles that, though difficult, ultimately reveal what is of true substance and worth in a person's life.

How does the speaker connect the process of 'gleaning' with spiritual growth?

Gleaning, the act of collecting leftover grain after harvest, is used as a metaphor for spiritual growth and gratitude. The speaker encourages people to 'glean' in their own lives by recognizing and appreciating the blessings they have, even when circumstances are difficult. This process fosters a deeper connection with God and understanding of one's life journey.

What does the speaker mean by 'the wind is under the control of the mighty hand of an all-seeing God'?

The wind metaphor refers to the struggles or challenges people face in life, which can feel overwhelming. The speaker suggests that these trials are not random or destructive but are part of God's plan. God controls the 'wind,' or difficult circumstances, to help individuals shed unnecessary burdens (the chaff) and become stronger and more refined.

What is the significance of the ephah of grain Ruth gathers?

The ephah of grain Ruth gathers represents an abundance of provision, despite her being an outsider and not having any right to the harvest. It highlights God's unexpected provision and favor. The ephah is a large amount of grain—enough for three soldiers—which signifies that even when it seems like resources are scarce, God can provide abundantly.

Why is the speaker so concerned with recognizing God's guidance in real time?

Recognizing God's guidance in real time means being able to see God's hand at work in the present moment, rather than only in hindsight. The speaker challenges listeners to trust that God is at work in their lives even during uncertain or difficult times, and not just after the challenges have passed and they can see how everything worked out.

What is the broader message the speaker wants the audience to take away?

The broader message is about trusting God during difficult times, recognizing the hidden blessings within struggles, and understanding that challenges are often part of God's refining process. The speaker encourages the audience to stay faithful, keep 'gleaning,' and trust that after going through the threshing process, they will see God's provision and blessings in ways they never expected.