Protocol & Process

I don’t always know what certain protocol is when it comes to government, but there are lots of protocols in place when dealing with leadership and access. There are also processes in place that help learn the proper protocol. “Processes is a systematic series of actions that lead to a desired end.” (Dictionary.com) I have processes in place all in my personal life and my professional life. I think a lot of people are creatures of habit, as am I. I have certain processes I go through before I begin to write what my morning scripture reading said to me. I like to start my day with the Lord as soon as I’m awake. I feel like this process gives great clarity to me the rest of the day.

Ruth was a widowed Moabite woman who was committed to taking great care of her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was also widowed. She has received help from Boaz, a relative of Naomi. It was time to follow some protocol and connect Ruth with Boaz, who was also a “kinsman redeemer”.  The kinsmen redeemer was a close relative who was eligible and responsible for taking care of widowed family members.  Naomi send Ruth to the threshing floor where Boaz is, because she knows his patterns and processes of the harvest time. Check this out…..

¹⁰ “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor. ¹¹ Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. ¹² But while it’s true that I am one of your family redeemers, there is another man who is more closely related to you than I am. ¹³ Stay here tonight, and in the morning I will talk to him. If he is willing to redeem you, very well. Let him marry you. But if he is not willing, then as surely as the Lord lives, I will redeem you myself! Now lie down here until morning.”

¹⁸ Then Naomi said to her, “Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.”(Ruth 3:10-13,18 NLT)

Protocol is a type of etiquette and Ruth had respect for the process and the proper protocol. She was loyal and she was teachable. She was humble. When Boaz called her a virtuous woman, it reflected her life which became her reputation. I think this made her even more attractive to him.

Protocol and Processes often take great patience. There is a sequence and patterns to be followed and often these can’t be rushed.  There often very few shortcuts to process and protocol.  I believe my time with the Lord each morning has been a scheduled protocol and process that has blessed me and groomed my heart for the Lord over the years. I don’t do this for man’s attention; I spend time with Him because I want Him to know that He has my attention. I want to be faithful the rest of my life in seeking the heart of God the first thing, every morning. I want to hear from Him. I want Him to give me guidance to the protocol’s and processes that I will encounter throughout the day.

Pressing On!

Dwayne