Probably from the turbulent days of Judges 19-21, the story of Ruth focuses in like a laser on one small family during some global dramas including drought and famine, war and corrupt national leadership. By the end of it, a foreign woman, Ruth, becomes the hero and a key person in God’s story of His people Israel. Her great-grand-son became King David, “a man after God’s own heart”.
Ruth is a reminder that our story is not insignificant, even if we are just one person among six billion and counting. When our story is woven into God’s story, then our story takes on eternal significance. We understand that we are known and recognised by the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
We may not be known by our neighbour, or even our own family, or maybe we are known best by our local barista, newsagent or doctor – but for our story to be used by God for great things we do not know or understand is an honour we will not recognise until we are no longer part of the story of this life.
Ruth never knew her part in God’s kingdom while she was here in this life. David was anointed and then crowned many years after Ruth and Boaz (her husband) died.
When we try to make our lives significant or great in our own strength, we are entering risky territory. But when our being finds meaning in Christ Jesus, in His life now and the life to come, we find that it is no longer all on us to make it all happen. God works through us to do amazing things, and He even lets us see glimpses of these things if we have our eyes open.
Your story, the highs and lows, the awesome times and those dark times of brokenness and secrets, it’s all known to God who loves you and wants to walk with you through all of it. Your story fits into His story, and history will one day come to an end when Jesus returns to wrap all of our stories up and fulfil all of God’s promises.
Eugene Peterson looks at why Ruth was read during the Jewish festival of Pentecost, the offering of first-fruits amongst the Israelites (not the Christian occasion of Pentecost). The story is full of memory and promise, a poignant reminder for the people of God no matter if the harvest has been abundant, or meagre, God is always faithful.
Reference: Eugene Peterson “Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work”
Ruth is a reminder that our story is not insignificant, even if we are just one person among six billion and counting. When our story is woven into God’s story, then our story takes on eternal significance. We understand that we are known and recognised by the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
We may not be known by our neighbour, or even our own family, or maybe we are known best by our local barista, newsagent or doctor – but for our story to be used by God for great things we do not know or understand is an honour we will not recognise until we are no longer part of the story of this life.
Ruth never knew her part in God’s kingdom while she was here in this life. David was anointed and then crowned many years after Ruth and Boaz (her husband) died.
When we try to make our lives significant or great in our own strength, we are entering risky territory. But when our being finds meaning in Christ Jesus, in His life now and the life to come, we find that it is no longer all on us to make it all happen. God works through us to do amazing things, and He even lets us see glimpses of these things if we have our eyes open.
Your story, the highs and lows, the awesome times and those dark times of brokenness and secrets, it’s all known to God who loves you and wants to walk with you through all of it. Your story fits into His story, and history will one day come to an end when Jesus returns to wrap all of our stories up and fulfil all of God’s promises.
Eugene Peterson looks at why Ruth was read during the Jewish festival of Pentecost, the offering of first-fruits amongst the Israelites (not the Christian occasion of Pentecost). The story is full of memory and promise, a poignant reminder for the people of God no matter if the harvest has been abundant, or meagre, God is always faithful.
Reference: Eugene Peterson “Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work”
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