Faith in All ThingsSample

Your Choices Matter

The story of Ruth and Boaz is one of the Bible’s most iconic romances. It’s often used as an example of how God aligns the meeting of two people despite the odds, and how women can have agency in relationships. But there’s far more to it than that.

What ended well for the couple began with utter displacement and loss. Tragedy forced Naomi and her daughters-in-law to leave Bethlehem. Ruth selflessly stayed with Naomi, and in that act, set off a cascade of events that ultimately influenced the genealogy of Jesus.

The son Ruth 4:17 mentions is Obed who fathers Jesse, who fathers David and contributes to the pathway for the birth of our savior. Ruth didn’t know where her choices were going to lead at the time, but my goodness they had eternal consequences.

While our good character may not change the fate of billions of people, Ruth’s example shows us that even the smallest act of selflessness – and boldness in the case of her approach to Boaz – can have wide-reaching implications.

In every situation, whether we find ourselves there because of loss or opportunity, let’s heed Ruth’s example and not undercut the importance of our attitude within it.

Written by LAURA BENNETT