Widow to Wife
So, what does the last chapter tell us about Ruth? I believe it speaks well of her patience. Throughout the previous chapters, many attributes were listed about Ruth and we can apply them to our daily lives.
Let's get real. Ruth may have been faint-hearted when Boaz told her that there was a nearer kinsman than himself. She may have been thinking, "What?! This is the man I have had my eye on! How could there possibly be someone else? What if the other kinsman chooses to take me for his own? Is this really happening"? These are the thoughts that may have been going through Ruth's mind. Pause. Have thoughts like these ever crossed your mind while you had your eye on a guy? Have you ever thought, "Is he talking to a girl? If he only knew I was interested! You cannot be serious! I have had an interest in him for quite sometime." If you answered yes to these questions, you are perfectly normal. I know I have had some of these inner thoughts. However, entertaining these kinds of thoughts can cloud our vision and prevent our having an abundant life Jesus intended us to live. Don't you think if Jesus wanted you to be with a certain guy, He would orchestrate it to happen? I believe we as ladies jump the gun when it comes to relationships. I am not saying it is wrong to desire one, but I am saying it is wrong when we go ahead of God trying to tell God what is best for us. Like we really know what is best for our lives anyway!
Call me old-fashioned, but I think it says a lot about a guy when he pursues a woman first. It makes me think he is confident and is not a coward, afraid to take initiative. It also makes me feel wanted when a guy initiates a relationship. Do the attributes you pursue make you a woman worth being pursued? Well, I suppose that can go both ways. In that, possessing bad attributes can attract the wrong guys. What you are is what you attract. Ruth possessed amazing attributes that had Boaz interested in her, but he took the high road and was honest with Ruth about the nearer kinsman. Those were probably words neither he wanted to speak nor Ruth wanted to hear, but in the end, the other guy was not willing to accept Ruth and the land.
Ruth's patience paid off. She was patient to wait for the man God had for her after she was widowed at a young age. She was also patient in waiting for Boaz's response as to what the nearer kinsman had decided. I am sure when Ruth heard that the other guy did not want to take her as his own, she was ecstatic. Overjoyed! She and Boaz finally married and were blessed with a baby boy named Obed.
So, next time you get discouraged about when your night in shining armor is going to come, remember God has better plans for you if you remain patient for His best for your life. Notice I said "His best" because if you wait for your best, I guarantee you that you will be settling for less than His best for you.
