If narratives bore you, you can scroll to the end for the poem “To Risk”.

We have a Swahili proverb, Mficha Uchi Hazai (They who hide their nudity cannot bear children). Simply, if you don’t risk anything in life, you are bound to have nothing. I have a friend, (single and really yearning for a healthy relationship) who has had broken relationships and seems to have given up any prospect of meeting a potential mate. I have encouraged this friend to attend social gatherings where there is a likelihood that they will meet their future spouse. The friend flatly refuses. She says, “I don’t want to help God in His work”, Prayers are enough, and I have faith they will be answered. I straight away quote the story of Ruth and how she strategically made herself available for Boaz to see and notice her. And from this manoeuvres, we have the lineage of Christ. Ruth made the effort to go to the field and glean the wheat.

….Vs 2 of Ruth, Chapter 2 says. “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favour.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”

You notice she was proactive. And Boaz says,

……vs8, So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9, Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

Boaz had already asked around about the background of Ruth and he seems to have really been impressed by her love towards her mother in law after the tragedy that struck their family.

Vs.19 “Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!”

Ruth had to go somewhere where she would be noticed. She didn’t stay at home crying, and mulling over the past breakups and tragedies. She did something. And she was strategic, of course with advice from Naomi.

The last advice worked smoothly. It is akin to seduction, but who knows, God seems to have sanctioned it, as it worked wonderfully.

Ruth Chapter 3.

Vs. “One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.”

Boaz ended up marrying Ruth. And this formed the lineage of David, Solomon and Christ.

You may not copy paste exactly Ruth’s scheme, but you get the gist.

If you don’t show interest whatsoever, it is very tough for a man to approach and notice you.

You claim you can’t attend social Sundays, retreats and other events because you are shy? And then you go ahead and blame your creator for your current situation?

Another familiar narrative is that of Abraham (mind you, the Father of Faith), sending his trusted servant (Eliezer) to go and look for a wife for his son, Isaac. Why didn’t Abraham just pray, and hope a wife would be directly sent to his son? With no effort from their side? Abraham had already witnessed miraculous workings of God in his life, probably more than any of us would ever witness. Yet, when it came to certain decisions, he had to be proactive. Further, when Rebecca made herself available when:

“As he was praying, a woman named Rebekah approached the well. She was very beautiful and from a good family. The servant requested to her, “Please give me water from your jar.”  Rebekah not only gave him water to drink, she also drew water for his camels. The servant observed her and saw that the Lord had delivered his prayer and he praised the Lord.” Gen. 24:15

All in all, Rebecca was cooperative in the entire story.

Even in relationships, you have to risk. You have to show interest. If you are interested in man, you have to show interest. If he is a “man” enough, he will act. If he is not, he won’t.

My friend, you claim you don’t like your work and the people you work with for they demoralize you. What are you doing to escape such a trap? You do not attend any work related conferences and seminars. You claim it is a waste of time. You eat alone and have no time for conversations with others about work. You do not seek for advice nor do you read to get one. As Keith Ferrazzi counsels says, “Never Eat Alone”.

Network.

“To Risk”

by William Arthur Ward

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.

He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.

Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

The pessimist complains about the wind;

The optimist expects it to change;

And the realist adjusts the sails.