Redemption Road: When God Restores What You Lost (Part 2)Mostra

Ruth: Commas and Page Breaks

I am notorious for forgetting and losing things. I don't mean to, in fact, I will often go out of my way to earmark something so that it does not get lost. The problem is at some point I forget what the earmark is, and I am back to square one. Lately, my losing things has become more of a quirk and running joke, but not all losses are funny.

Some losses, like misplacing the remote, are seemingly inconsequential. Others, like losing your savings in a bad business deal, can have lost-lasting repercussions. At the heart of those big losses is a painful realization that what was lost may never be replaced.

Losses are no fun, but I can attest that God frequently uses them to create space for redemption. Such was the case for Ruth. From the first chapter of the book of Ruth, it is hard not to pity her. She presents as a classic case of a bad lot in life. We get the sense that even she questions whether she has seen the best life could offer, and it is precisely in that hopelessness that redemption starts.

The incredible thing about God's vision for us is that where we see periods and endings, He sees commas and page breaks. By Ruth 2, we start to learn that God has a plan for Ruth. Her circumstances did not signal the end but rather a renewal that would exceed her expectations. Through Ruth's story, we learn the following about restoration:

#1 - God honors fidelity

The book of Ruth is widely noted because it illustrates commitment—Ruth to Naomi, Boaz to Ruth, and God to His people. As a result of her faithfulness to Naomi, Ruth benefitted from the older woman's mentorship which led to her getting a second chance at love, happiness, and being inserted into the direct lineage of Jesus Christ. When we are faithful to who and what God calls us to, we benefit from the favor and clarity that comes from rightful positioning.

#2 - Restoration defies logic

Anytime we fix our eyes on our circumstances, we miss the mark of faith. Yes, God gives us common sense for our protection. However, Hebrews 11:1 makes it clear that faith often defies our sensibilities. Experiencing restoration from God will require faith.

In Ruth 1, we see everyone —Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah—understandably overwhelmed by their circumstances. In Ruth 1:11-13, Naomi plainly tells both her daughters-in-law that it is unlikely she will have another son for either of them to marry—logic. What she did not account for was that God was at work long before her current reality. While Naomi could only think of having biological sons as the solution to her problem, God had positioned one who would have culturally been her son (Ruth 2:3) to become Ruth’s Kinsman Redeemer.

If you are taking notes, one of the most important things to understand about the restoration journey is that our ways are not God's ways. That means the trajectory that we are seeing is typically not what God is seeing. 1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV) puts it perfectly in perspective:

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."

Even on our best days, we cannot contend with the all-surpassing wisdom of God, and our best ideas pale in comparison to His. When we begin to understand that, we can rest and let go of our tendency to control our journey. Like Ruth, things might seem impossible, but God has made a way of escape before we even know we need one.

Prayer:
Father, knowing that your ways are not my ways is humbling. Help me to have confidence in that. Help me to understand that although I can't always see a way of escape, you have created one. I pray for peace to rest in that truth. Please let my life be a canvas for your restorative work.