Life Happens
Life happens. Naomi anticipated a better life for her family in Moab but returned home with what she labeled as a bitter life following the deaths of her husband and two sons. Ruth married into a loving family but later finds herself trying to make ends meet as a widow and a foreigner among strangers. Boaz is just being Boaz when he’s presented with an opportunity to use his influence to be a blessing to others. Chapters 2 and 3 in the story of Ruth give us a glimpse of how, as life happens, our natural efforts to care for others are guided by the supernatural hand of God.
Naomi arrived in Bethlehem believing that God had made her life bitter at the same time that His blessing of the barley harvest was beginning. Have you ever felt like things were going wrong for you while God was blessing others? How did you respond? Who was your Ruth during your time of bitterness?
In unfavorable conditions, Ruth continued doing what came naturally to provide for Naomi while unknowingly being guided by the supernatural hand of God. Have unfavorable conditions ever discouraged you from doing the right things for others? Were you able to overcome it? Consider how you were unknowingly guided by God to the right places and the right people in order to continue caring and providing for others. How did you feel when you realized how God had guided your steps?
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 and consider times when your purpose was to be a planter or a waterer. Did fulfilling your purpose come naturally? If not, what challenges did you experience both internally and externally?
In verse 10 of chapter 2 Ruth asked Boaz, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me – a foreigner?” Have you ever felt like a foreigner or felt unnoticed in church or another Christian setting? If so, how did it feel to finally be “noticed” and shown kindness? Consider ways you can show kindness to those who are new to our church and may feel like foreigners in a new land.
Boaz used his God-given resources and influence to encourage Ruth and to be a blessing to her and Naomi. How have you used your God-given resources and influence for the sake of others? Have you done so without expecting anything in return?
Searching for the Generous Life
Just like modest investments can grow over time, our investment into God's kingdom generates growth and produces eternal dividends. The apostle Paul presented the Macedonian believers as an example of generous giving to the Corinthian church and to us. Let's explore...
Searching for Reconciliation
Confronting others concerning biblical/theological compromise is never easy or pleasant. Such encounters must be handled with sensitivity to the needs of others, directed by spiritual wisdom and the Scriptures, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul closed chapter two of...
Searching for Courage
On the surface, hearing God and following His commands seems straightforward. However, when God calls us to do something that generates fear in us and feels daunting, second-guessing His call becomes reasonable. Finding the courage to obey such a call is overwhelming....
Searching for the Abundant Life
Jesus explicitly explained his purpose when He said “…I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). He said similar things many times, and these ideas are repeated, over and over again, by those who wrote the New Testament. Yet many people,...
Searching for Real Friendship
Some relationships may imitate friendship, but there’s no substitute for the real thing. Exploring the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible, we’ll identify some distinguishing features of friendship that are often overlooked and discover how to infuse...