For those of you who do not know the Book of Ruth, here is a quick summary: Ruth chose to follow her Mother-in-law, Naomi, after most of her family had died. Ruth gave up her own life and religion to follow Naomi and her God. They would eventually come to Boaz's fields. Boaz was a very wealthy man, but he also a very compassionate man. Ruth picked his fields, but his servants wanted no part of her because of where she came from. However, Boaz told his servants that she was allowed to pick the wheat of his fields. Naomi and Ruth would soon realize that Boaz was a distant relative. Naomi suggested that Ruth present herself to him so that they could be married. Ruth did so; he was flattered, but realized there was a closer relative in the family that she could also marry. Boaz went to this man and told him of Ruth and told the kin where she was from, too. When the other man realized she was a Moabite, he refused to marry her because it would have been bad for his reputation. Due to his refusal, Boaz was able to marry Ruth.
What can we take from this story of Ruth and Boaz? How do we apply it to our own lives?
Modern Day Ruth's:
Follow God, seek Him and trust in his timing. He will bring you to your Boaz. Just remember that with God's love, you will always be enough, and you should not have to change for a man who does not see that you are enough. You should never change for a man that will never try to love you the way God loves you, the way that God sees you. Trust that you are enough and always grow with Him.
The modern day Boaz's:
Continually seek God, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).
Walk humbly in His ways. Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Lead as Titus 1:9 suggests, "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Speak as 1 Peter 3:15 tells us, "But sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."