Guided by Grace: Vision Casting With PurposeSample

Ruth – Pursuing Relational Goals with Loyalty and Love

Setting relational goals has always been one of the hardest goals for people to focus on; it's ambiguous. For almost two decades I have been hosting Vision Casting sessions and most of the time this box is empty or the last one to get filled.

However, when you do plan this goal, it's important to focus on the principles of love, humility, forgiveness, and understanding. The book of Ruth is one of love, loyalty, respect, and legacy. Her story also exemplifies commitment and the power of building strong relationships.

Ruth, a Moabite woman, was faced with making a very pivotal decision. She was married to Mahlon, one of the two sons of Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Her husband, her father-in-law Elimelech, and her brother-in-law all died in war. She had to decide if she was going to stay in her homeland of Moab, or would she go with Naomi back to Bethlehem.

Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV)

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Ruth’s dedication to family and the willingness to embrace a new life in a foreign land illustrates the significance of investing in relationships. This is a deeper story and we will have a plan specifically for Ruth. But for relational goal setting Ruth's commitment to her mother-in-law Naomi is a beautiful example of pursuing relational goals rooted in loyalty and love. There are three determining factors to take into consideration as you pursue relational goals:

1. Loyalty in Relationships:It is sometimes hard to determine if your loyalty is healthy to build growth or the death of yourself. It is important to seek the Lord for discernment so that you can determine if the relationships around you are healthy or unhealthy. Ruth’s pledge to Naomi showcased her unwavering loyalty that showed how healthy their relationship was in Ruth Chapter 2:19-22. In our lives, nurturing relationships requires commitment and faithfulness, even in challenging circumstances. I’m sure there are relationships you value most—as you walk towards a deeper level of commitment, it will in turn, demonstrate loyalty and support to those around you.
2. Embrace Change: Ruth didn’t hesitate to leave her homeland and embrace a new culture for the sake of her relationship with Naomi. Sometimes, pursuing relationships means stepping out of our comfort zones and making sacrifices. The relationship may require you to take a risk or embrace change as we see in. It requires being intentional about building connections with friends, families, and even romantic interests.
3. Build a Supportive Community: Some relationships are tied to your blessing. As you read further in this passage Ruth’s relationship and commitment to Naomi allowed her to work in Boaz’s field. The entire time she worked in his field he had a hand of protection over her. Through her loyalty to Naomi, Ruth not only strengthened their bond but also positioned herself for future blessings as we see in Ruth Chapter 2: 11-14. Relationships can serve as a foundation for growth and encouragement. Seek opportunities to invest in and cultivate a supportive community around you, just as Ruth did. That looks different for each of us. Ruth opened up the door for not only herself but for future generations to be blessed. As we know by lineage, Ruth is the great-grandmother to Jesus.

The story of Ruth reminds us of the beauty of faithfulness, the importance of trusting God’s timing, and the extraordinary outcomes that can arise from ordinary acts of love and devotion.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the unwavering commitment to building healthy relationships through Ruth. Help us to pursue our relational goals with love and commitment. Teach us to be intentional in our relationships, embrace change along the way, and support those we care about. May our connections reflect Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.