What does it mean to be a modern day Ruth?
In the story of Ruth,
the first picture we see is a desolate woman, suffering and grieving from the
loss of her husband. She lost the love of her life. She lost any means of
surviving. She lost everything. The first picture painted of this poor woman is
not a pretty one.
She was forced to
rely on God. Her heart of obedience and commitment set her up for a lifetime of
love and blessings. She didn’t focus so much on her present situation as she
did on the things to come.
Not
only did God bless her, but through Ruth’s faithfulness, generations to come
were blessed. Naomi was blessed. Boaz was blessed. Their descendants were even
blessed.
I want to be a woman
after God’s heart. That is my deepest desire. I want to serve God and be
obedient. I want to be a modern day Ruth in a world that has forgotten this
concept.
Sometimes being that
woman is hard. It means doing things God’s way, instead of my own. We, as women
of God, should bear fruits of wisdom, peace, love, and joy. Through our fruits
others can be brought to Christ’s love.
Here are characteristics of a modern Day Ruth
She is Kind “And on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26. A modern day Ruth
chooses kindness, even when the favor is not returned. She chooses to have a
gentle spirit, and to walk in grace daily because of the grace that has been
shown to her. That’s all she needs to be a kind person.
She is Loving “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. A modern day Ruth is full of love for God and others. Everything she does, she does in love. She chooses to shake off bitterness or offenses, because God has called her to an example of His love in a world that needs it.
She fears the Lord “Charm is deceptive and
beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs
31:30. A modern day Ruth
honors her Lord. Every decision she makes is out of reverence and respect for
the One she loves. She understands that He is the One with the whole world in
His hands, and she can rest in that understanding.
She walks in peace “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3. A modern day Ruth
chooses peace over worry. When she finds herself torn apart by the world, she
lays down to rest in His love for a while. She keeps her focus on Him, and in
return He gives her His precious peace.
She
delights in her Father “Delight
yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your
heart.” Psalm 37:4 She
is proud to call herself a daughter of God. She knows that nothing else in this
world can fill her soul to the brim. She trusts in the Lord to plant in her
heart the desires He has for her. He blesses her in favor because she has
chosen to follow Him.
She
Defends those who can’t defend themselves “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of
all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights
of the afflicted and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9. A
modern day Ruth chooses others over herself. She chooses to rid herself of
selfishness, and to depend the cause of the broken and needy. She allows God to
transform her mind in order for her to love on others, just as she has been
shown divine love.
She
isn’t a gossip “In the same way, women are to be worthy of
respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” 1
Timothy 3:11. A
modern Day Ruth takes her problems to the Lord. She chooses to bite her tongue,
and only speak when it is to edify and build up someone else. When someone
confides in her, she intercedes for them in private prayer. She chooses to be a
woman of respect.
What
she does is for God’s glory, not her own “Whatever you do, work at it with
all your heart, as
working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23. She
is confident in herself, and doesn’t feel obligated to show everyone else that
she is special. She knows in her heart she is treasured by the King of Kings.
She loves her Lord deeply, and chooses to do everything for His glory and not
her own.
Seeks
out her husband’s best interest “She brings him (her husband) good, not harm all
the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12 A
modern day Ruth cherishes the heart of her husband, even if she hasn’t met him
yet. She honors him, encourages him, and treasures him. She chooses to build
him up instead of tear him down. She pushes him to be all that God has called
him to be.
She
has a pure heart Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. She can lay her head down in peace at night
because her heart is pure. Whatever she does is to build up others, and not to
tear them down. She prays daily that God would purify her heart and mind, so
that she can walk in the will of her Father.
She walks in faith “Blessed
is she who has believed that
the Lord would fulfill His promise to her!” Luke 1:45. Just like the Ruth of the Bible, a modern day Ruth holds onto
the promises that were given to her by God. Even when her hopes and dreams seem
unlikely, she places them in the hands of God and trusts that when He sees fit,
He will give her everything she needs.
She understands her worth in Christ “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are
your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalms 139:14 A modern day Ruth embraces her beauty, in a
culture that tells her she shouldn’t. She has mastered the art of loving
herself, because of the One who loved her first. She chooses to see herself and
others through the eyes of God.
Her inner beauty shines “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate
hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should
be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4. She
understands that the package reflects what is on the inside. She understands
the most important thing is to have a beautiful heart. Her heart shines from
the inside out.
She isn’t jealous of other women “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones
rot.” Proverbs 14:30. A
modern day Ruth has become confident in the woman that she is, and chooses to
celebrate other women instead of tear them down. She understands the damage
jealousy does to the heart. So when she feels even the slightest pang of it,
she gives it to the Lord to renew her mind once again.
She is devoted “But
Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For
where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be
my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16-17 No
matter what happens in life, she has devoted her heart to God. She has trusted
her future in His hands, and has made the decision to follow Him to the ends of
the earth. Her devotion is an example for all women.
She is wise “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 A
modern day Ruth chooses to not speak out of ignorance. Instead, she chooses to
embrace wisdom, and to only speak of that which she knows. She has come to the
understanding that she doesn’t know everything and that’s okay.
She is trustworthy “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of
gain.” Proverbs 31:11 A
modern day Ruth has been entrusted with an assignment by God. She is
trustworthy, and embraces the heart of her husband. She understands that
marriage is a calling, and she chooses to support and love her husband. He
knows he can place his trust in her.
She is smart with money “She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a
vineyard.” Proverbs 31:16 A
modern day Ruth doesn’t act without thinking. Instead, she carefully reflects
on how her decisions will affect her future and family. She invests and saves.
She makes wise financial choices in order to better her future.
She is strong “She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 Though
she has faced heartbreak and disappointment, she knows that her Savior is in
control. Because of that she can laugh at the days to come, instead of living
in fear. She is the epitome of strength, because she has allowed her
disappointments to make her better, not bitter.
She has joy“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord” Psalm 144:15. A
modern day Ruth trusts in the love of her Jesus. She walks in victory each day
because she knows the devil has already been defeated. She has joy, and knows
that God will work all things together for her good. She can face the future
because she has God on her side.
