Day 7: Ruth 2:1-3 - As it turned out

2 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.
2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

​Rather than sitting on the sidelines wallowing in self-pity about their horrible circumstances, Ruth is anxiously waiting to get to work. She asks Naomi about going into the fields to pick up the leftover grain left behind.  The Israelites were commanded to leave behind some of the grain during the harvest for the widows and less fortunate. They certainly qualified!
 
When you are dealt a bad hand in life how do you typically respond? Do you complain and feel sorry for yourself or do you get to work, doing what you can to make things better?
 
The pity party route is usually the easy road to take.  But it generally does nothing to change our circumstances. Ruth doesn’t wait for someone to fix things for her, or even tell her what to do. She looks for opportunities and makes a plan. She gets to work.
 
At the end of the passage we see that “as it turned out” she was working in the field of someone from the family of her deceased father-in-law. At first pass that may seem she lucked out with that one. But as we study the Bible, we learn more and more that God’s hand is on everything.
 
It is an incredible encouragement – and relief – to recognize and trust that God is in control. But we must also remember that we have parts to play. We aren’t supposed to just sit on the sidelines. We are supposed to be in the game. Looking for opportunities and taking steps…even if baby steps…to make the changes we need to make in our lives and circumstances.
 
Powerful things can happen when we combine God’s incredible plans – putting people in our path, opening doors, and nudging us toward His purposes – and our stepping out and doing our parts. God can’t wait to team up with us for things beyond our imagination.
 
Looking back can you think of a time when God has opened a door or put someone in your path for a special purpose?
 
Do you believe God is working in all things at all times?
 
How does Ruth inspire you to do take action when life gets tough?