“Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man… whose name was Boaz. Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor.’ And she said , ‘Go, my daughter.’ So she went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and [came] to the part belonging to Boaz… Boaz said to his young man in charge .., ‘Whose young woman is this?’ The servant… answered, ‘She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the Moab. She said, “Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.” So she came, and has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.’
“Then Boaz said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women… Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.’ Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?’ Boaz answered her, ‘All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!’ Then she said, ‘I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant.'” Ruth 2:1-3,5-13
When the Moabite Ruth married Elimelech and Naomi’s son, she tied herself to them and their God for good. Once widowed and given the opportunity to stay in her native country, she insisted on following Naomi to Bethlehem and identifying with the true God. She had cast in her lot with their family in faith, not knowing what would come, but knowing Whom she would follow. This new season of her life would be lived one next thing at a time, and she would experience a glorious unfolding of God’s redeeming love and redemptive plan. (Ruth 1:15-18; 3:6-13)
Any large decision carries with it many unknowns. As we do the next right thing, trusting Him to guide and work, God unfolds His will. Knowing the beginning from the end, He determines road blocks and detours, designs heartaches and disruptions and transitions to train us in faith and bring about His wider and longer-term purposes. Our commitment to obedience unleashes anticipation at His gracious provision and unfolding.
When circumstances go awry, how steadfast are we in doing the next right thing? Do we freeze in fear, or hesitate because we can’t know the whole picture? Do we doubt our own ability or God’s seeing us through? What sloth or distractions slow our progress? How will we refocus on the Lord who orchestrates all, and adjust attitude and action to keep in step with Him?
Father, help me consistently, confidently do the next right thing with joyful expectation of Your grace and glory.
As the rain and snow 