Ruth 3-4 - Scripture Reading
First, you need to rely on the saints in your life who have been placed there by the Lord. They help you return to the right track as long as you seek their help. Some may help you through mere memories, others will help you through their words and actions. But always lean on your saints. God places people into your life for a reason. Believe in that. Trust the good people in your life. Second, believe that God is working behind the scenes. When your life doesn’t seem to be going well, if you do not turn to God, you will not turn it around. Naomi had been on the road running from one problem to the next. She ran away from famine, and then she lost her husband. Nothing seemed to be going right for her. She doubted God. But Ruth was her saint. She found God again through the good that Ruth was able to bring back to her. Trust in God. Be patient for the Lord’s blessings. God will bless you. The key is to not give up on God. Third, do not be afraid to go down to your own threshing floor. Do not be afraid to take a bold step in your life. Sometimes, in order to find what is best for you, you need to take a bold step to make it happen. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 tells us, “The Spirit of God emboldens us to proclaim the gospel without fear.” In Philippians 1:14 we read, “Boldness is contagious. When we are bold for Christ, enduring hardships for our faith, others are provoked to do the same.” How can you be bold for Christ this week? Can you take a step in your personal life that may involve a risk which has prevented you to this point? Can you bless a friend who may or may not receive that blessing well? Can you join a board in our community that is working within a Christian perspective to give back to those in need? How is God full of surprises for you? Do you believe in those surprises? Remember, God wants to use you. But God cannot use you if you are afraid all the time of the risks involved in being bold and reaching out toward a destination that you cannot fully see. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “faith is taking the first step even when you cannot see the whole staircase.” Are you faithful to God? In that case, take the first step.
