Women's E
mpowerment: The Ruth Experience
How can the life of Ruth empower us as women of faith today?
The life of Ruth in the Bible is such a life-changing story for me.
I don't know about you, but I can relate to Ruth's persistence to be under the wing of her mother-in-law.
She knew the consequences it would entail.
I appreciated Naomi's honesty as she was grieving. She had a crossroads moment with both her daughters.
We know little about Orpah. She chose to return to what she knew, and her story is not chronicled in the Bible.
That speaks volumes about who wrote the book of Ruth as well. Where one person's story ends, another's begins.
I gathered this from the book of Ruth: New Beginnings. Everything she experienced was new for her and her mother-in-law.
She was determined to stay with Naomi and follow her ways of life, which showed me where Ruth's heart was positioned.
There are so many takeaways from Ruth's story.
We can all agree on how humble she was during the entire process of starting over and not having much.
She humbled me in my own life. I had to repent to God about how I viewed my life. Ruth saw the blessing in a messed up situation.
She didn't let her life as a widow be in vain. Being a widow at that time automatically put you under financial strain.
From a practical perspective, Naomi suggesting that the women wait for her to have new sons and marry them later was impossible.
Ruth didn't let that stop her from staying with Naomi through the thick of it. She didn't care what it cost her.
How many of you would take the route Ruth did?
Naomi's effect on Ruth made her okay with giving up her old way of life to seek something new.
She couldn't have known that her decision would change her lineage. But it did.
She was obedient and listened to Naomi's sound advice about Boaz when she was gleaning the fields.
Ruth had favor wherever she went. Her kindness and humility spread like wildfire.
Boaz knew about her and her situation before she was formally introduced. In this case, good news travels fast!
Hallelujah to God for a turnaround!
One brave decision on Ruth's account gave her redemption for her entire family. We all appreciate the ending, right?
What about the process before, though? That's where empowerment occurs.
There was a timeline for Ruth to become Boaz's wife. He made some power moves of his own to become the kinsman redeemer.
The ultimate message of this beautiful story is the love of God throughout this book.
So many sacrifices were made to get from point A to point B.
Listening to and trusting the people in your life is a great lesson, too.
Ruth was smart enough to know that she didn't have all the answers, but she was inclined to gain knowledge through Naomi.
She adapted her ways and took on her belief in God. Deep down, she knew that the life she used to live wasn't giving her life.
She took a chance on love. Way before Boaz shows up. That's amazing how far our love can go for one another when God softens our hearts to lay down our lives for a friend.
Ruth and Naomi became great friends, too, even though they were family through marriage.
Many women don't have that dynamic with their mothers, let alone their mother-in-law.
I appreciated the love and kindness shown by this dynamic duo. Ruth loved her anyway, despite her negativity about the tragic situation with her husband and sons.
One daughter stayed, and the other didn't. The one that didn't was sorrowful, but it wasn't enough to change her mind about returning to what she knew.
Familiarity breeds contempt. I'm glad Ruth chose to stay even when persuaded to go. She knew something better was waiting. She walked by faith in Naomi's God, which tells me that Naomi instilled truths into her daughters and sons.
The book of Ruth contains much to consider, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal some truths that will help you on your journey to unfamiliar places.
Naomi went back home while Ruth tried something new. It's hard returning to a place you thought would be different, but life took so much away.
Only by trusting God can you go back anywhere full when you believe you're empty.
Get filled with the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. He orders our steps whether we believe it or not.
Commenti