Stepping into Spring: A Season of Renewal and Favor
Spring—a time of new beginnings and fresh hope—is one of my favorite seasons. As the days grow longer, vibrant green shoots emerge from the dark earth, and the scent of rain fills the air, proclaiming God’s goodness. Budding flowers remind us that beauty is about to bloom once again.
Spring holds deep significance in the book of Ruth. It was during the barley harvest—typically beginning in April—that Ruth’s relationship with Boaz began to unfold (see Ruth 2:23). After enduring what was likely a cold and quiet winter, Ruth had just journeyed across a desert from Moab to Israel, a land where her people were not welcome. She arrived as a widow, grieving, impoverished, and uncertain of her future. Yet in the midst of her hardship, God met her with hope and favor.
“Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” (Ruth 2:2)
Despite the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her future, Ruth carried a hopeful expectation. She asked Naomi for permission to glean in the fields of Boaz, believing there was a possibility of finding favor. Like the prophet Isaiah, who wrote of a new season centuries later, Ruth sensed that God was doing something new in her life.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)
Embracing the New Season
Ruth understood that seasons change and that God appoints a time for everything.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Though her past was marked by hardship and loss, her spring had come—and she courageously stepped into it in faith. To do so, she had to let go of bitterness, fear, and doubt. These emotions, like depleted soil, can prevent new growth. For Ruth to step into her new season, she had to embrace faith, hope, and love, leaving behind what no longer served her.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18)
The Power of Patience
One more thing about Ruth’s season—it required patience. Scripture tells us that she stayed through the wheat harvest, which lasted into the summer (see Ruth 2:23). This means she remained faithful past the expected time. She did not rush ahead but trusted God’s timing. She worked diligently, allowing her relationship with Boaz to grow naturally. Only when she was instructed did she take the next step toward the future she longed for.
Your Springtime Renewal
Like Ruth, we too are stepping into a season of renewal. Whether in relationships, motherhood, work, or ministry, God is breathing fresh hope into our future. But just as Ruth had to let go of past burdens, we must also release regret, shame, anger, and victimhood. There is no space for these in the new things God is doing!
“Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
Will you partner with Him in this renewal? Will you trust Him for His favor over your life?
Reflect & Respond
Journaling Prompts:
What areas of your life need renewal this season?
What "seeds" of faith can you plant today to grow closer to God?
ACTION STEP:
Plant something physical—like a flower or an herb—as a symbolic act of renewal. Let it serve as a reminder that God is growing something new in you!
Join the Conversation:
Share your reflections in the comments or on social media using the hashtags:
📖 #SeasonOfRenewal #SpringtimeIsHere #FindingFavor
