I’ve always loved the story of Ruth because her life was an act of love and obedience. Although she had a deep love for Naomi, following her to a new land would have been a huge decision. Ruth left everything familiar to her: her parents, her land, her people, and her gods to do what she felt was right.
Sometimes when reading this story we can glaze past how big this act of obedience and love was, but this was a giant act for Ruth. What Ruth felt led to do was difficult, but she did it; If Ruth had not followed her leading to follow Naomi and her God, she would not have been part of the genealogy of Jesus.
God was the one who called Ruth out of Moab to a land where she took refuge under his wings (Ruth 2:12); It may have looked to her like it was her love for Naomi that led her, but in actuality, it was God calling her to be part of his salvation story. There are three lessons that we can learn from Ruth about being called to do something for God: You will have to give something up, you will have to listen to God over other people, and your first act of obedience won’t be your last.
You will Have to Give Something Up
When God calls you to follow him, there will be something that you have to leave or give up; it may just be your comfort zone or your control; or he could call you to give up something bigger like your friendships, your career, or the city where you grew up. You will then have to choose to love God above everything else and follow him. I’ve already mentioned everything that Ruth had to give up to follow God but another good example of this can be found in Matthew 4 where Jesus called a few of his disciples to follow him.
When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow him, they immediately dropped their fishing gear and left their boat; and then again, he called James and John, and they also dropped everything immediately and left even their father. I love the word immediately here; the disciples left what was familiar and comfortable without hesitation to follow Jesus.
You will have to Listen to God Over People
Naomi urged Ruth and Orpah not to follow her, and Orpah finally listened to her urging and returned to her home, but Ruth refused to listen and swore that she would not leave her until death (Ruth 1:17).
Ruth had to determine in herself what her decision was and would not listen to anything or anyone that told her not to follow what she knew was right, even if it came from the voice of someone she loved.
Those around you may not support your decision to leave what God told you to leave, and the voices in your head may tell you that you are being stupid and illogical. You must remember that the only voice that matters is God’s. You will have to close yourself to the voices that contradict the voice of God and follow no matter what.
The First Act of Obedience Won’t be the Last
After Ruth decided to follow Naomi, she then began to glean in the field of a man named Boaz, who happened to be her kinsman-redeemer; she found favor in his eyes and regularly gleaned from his field.
God, however, had more for Ruth than just barely getting by; he had a plan full of blessings in store for her, but first, she had to act again.
Ruth had to put herself in an uncomfortable position that could have compromised her reputation to ask Boaz to redeem her; her first act of obedience wasn’t enough; she had to continue to obey to receive her blessing.
When God calls you to walk by faith, your first big step will not be your last; it will be a continuous process of trust and obedience. Uncomfortable situations will arise, and fear and doubt will try to derail you, but if you continue in obedience, you will receive the blessing God has for you.
In Conclusion
If you feel a leading in your heart to step out and follow God in an unknown direction, take encouragement from the story of Ruth. Not only was she blessed by her obedience and allowed to be a part of the genealogy of Jesus her obedience also blessed Naomi. At the beginning of Ruth, we see
Naomi bitter at God through her grief, but through Ruth’s obedience, Naomi also comes under the protection of Boaz and reaps the benefits of a grandchild. Your obedience could be someone else’s blessing as well. Stand firm in what God has spoken to you, and do not become discouraged by fear or doubt.
Referenced Scripture: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth1&version=ESV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+2&version=ESV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+3&version=ESV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4&version=ESV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A18-20&version=ESV