Ruth was a selfless woman who decided to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi to Bethlehem after the death of her husband in the land of Moab. After they arrived at Bethlehem, Ruth offered to go into the fields to look for some food for both of them. Unknown to her, a life-changing miracle awaits her.
Ruth found herself in the portion of the land belonging to Boaz, a prominent man of noble character who was a relative of Naomi. Boaz noticed how Ruth was gathering fallen grains behind the harvesters and he wanted to know more about her. He decided to ask his servant.
“Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?” (Ruth 2: 5 HCSB)
The servant explained how Ruth came with Naomi from the land of Moab and how she had asked politely if she could gather fallen grain behind the harvesters. The servant did not fail to add that Ruth had been gathering grains all day long and only rested a little. This report was very good indeed and Ruth found favour with Boaz. She left a very good first impression.
Boaz told Ruth to make friends with his female servants and gather grain anytime she wants from his fields. He also gave her the freedom to drink water from the jars and commanded the young men not to touch her. When Ruth got home, she gave her mother-in-law food and when Naomi saw how much grain Ruth had gleaned, she could not help but pronounce a blessing.
“Then her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you gather barley today, and where did you work? May the Lord bless the man who noticed you”. (Ruth 2: 19 HCSB)
God blessed Boaz indeed and rewarded Ruth – they got married. And it all started with Boaz noticing Ruth while she was being selfless – by putting her mother-in-law’s needs above hers. Do you realise that people are watching you, including a potential suitor! How you conduct your affairs matters – irrespective of where you are at any point in time.
Even if you think nobody knows you, the truth is that ‘you never can tell’. Serve God diligently and be a blessing to people around you – not because you want a man to find you, but because God commanded you to dress yourself with good works.
“but with good works, as is proper for women who affirm that they worship God.” (I Timothy 2: 10 HCSB)
I encourage you to cultivate a selfless attitude with a pure heart in all that you do and I am confident that God will reward you bountifully!