We all have those cross road moments where we have to choose which way to go. Moments when life gives us a chance to choose which direction to take. These moments present themselves at different times for each one of us. Many times we may not have realized them till much later on, but other times by God’s grace we get to recognize them. You probably thinking and trying to locate those moments in your past, on your journey. You may be thinking, how you may have taken the wrong road because you just didn’t realize how important the moment was. Stop! Don’t get lost in the past, don’t give any more time to things that you can’t change. Instead let us focus on the moments ahead, the ones happening and about to happen. Those are the ones i want us to ponder on as I share what insights i got from Jesus’s Moabitess great grandmother, Ruth.
Studying the book of Ruth has been insightful in recognizing how God already has accorded each of us a purpose in His Kingdom. Ruth makes ‘seemingly’ simple choices that lead her into the lineage of our lord and savior Jesus.
- Ruth chooses to go with her mother -in-law.
And she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.” When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem.. ( Ruth 1: 15-19)- NKJV
In choosing to remain with Naomi and declaring that Naomi’s God would be her GOD, Ruth enters into a covenant relationship with the God of Israel, Jehovah. This is the moment she is catapulted into her destiny as a great grandmother of David and Jesus Christ. Does Ruth recognize this important moment as she chooses Naomi? My guess is as good as yours. However, what I find encouraging is that God is guiding her choices behind the scenes, leading her gently into her purpose and destiny.
2. Ruth decides to work.
So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
When they get to Bethlehem, Ruth immediately gets to work. She goes looking for work and the scripture records she finds herself in the field of Boaz!! This really caught my attention. Ruth, new in Bethlehem, happens to find herself working in the field belonging to Boaz. Coincidence ? No, it is definitely not a coincidence. It is the Lord guiding her, leading her to where He needs her to be. I see the Lord positioning her to meet the man with whom she will marry to start the lineage of David and Jesus Christ. I don’t believe anything about our lives is accidental, or random. God is behind the scenes working out His purpose that He laid beforehand in the lives He has given us. Ruth’s hardworking character is what God uses to bring her in contact with her future husband (Boaz).
3. Ruth Perseveres despite her problems.
Ruth is a foreigner in Israel , a childless widow, with a widowed mother-in-law to look after. Ruth is a woman with problems, but she is still on the move, doing what she can to improve their situation. Her kindness to Naomi is what grants her favor with Boaz , who turns out to be a distant relative of her late husband ; one able to redeem their property by marrying her. It is a divine connection, that speaks of the inclusion of the gentiles into God’s redemptive plan for the world through her great grand son Jesus Christ. In choosing to go with Naomi, away from her home to an unknown place in Israel, with her mother-in-law, Ruth is part of God’s redemption plan.
Looking at purpose though the life of Ruth, I recognize that no choice is too small, or too big. The small and big choices together in our everyday life are what God is using to bring us into alignment with His Purpose determined beforehand. However, the most important decision we need to make is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. That is the BIG one. The choices after that are all in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Another important insight is God uses everyday people. People with everyday problems / challenges. Her being a childless widow, does not hinder God from accomplishing what He had prepared for her to do. Many times the challenges and obstacles in our lives are the very things that God uses to bring His purpose to pass in our lives. Like Ruth, we need recognize what we have, and use it. Ruth is compassionate in choosing to remain with her mother -in -law. She is hardworking in going to look for work and finally Ruth does not allow her problems to make her bitter or angry. Instead she maintains a good attitude towards life, showing up to work and showing compassion to her mother-in-law.
If you are out there and are filled with zeal to carry out your God given purpose, I pray that some of the simple yet profound choices of Ruth encourage you and give you courage and strength to keep going in the midst of the challenges and obstacles that life presents you with. The purpose is woven as we go about doing daily life. Whether a student, a wife, a mother, an employer, an employee serving God in the role, you can be assured that God is behind the scenes working out His purpose. Show up, and give it your best!
Prayer:
Lord , I am thankful that you led me to make the BIG decision of choosing you as Lord over my life. I pray that for all the choices I need to make as I go about the life you have blessed me with will be from your wisdom. Grant me strength and a heart of perseverance in the midst of the challenges and obstacles of life. I pray for others yet to choose you, that you will Help them to choose you sooner than later. May your Kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus name, Amen.
on point…I seem to relate with almost every post u share….truly inspired of God.keep on dear