Hey friends, I received a question about a message I shared entitled: “Should I Stand Still and Wait For A Mate or Step Out In Faith”. (If you missed it get your FREE Download from “Messages For The Road” here.) Read my responce to her question below.
Her question was:
“I heard your sermon, I agree man should pursue women. But i have a question, did Ruth move city before meeting Boaz?. Would you say that she did step in faith in order to meet her husband? So, is it possible for a woman to have to relocate city in order to meet potential mates, or relocating should serve a different purpose”?
My responce:
“Although Ruth was now a single woman after her husband had died, relocating for the sole purpose of finding another husband was not her focus. When her mother-in-law, Naomi, made the decision to leave Moab, she told her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth and Orpah, to stay. But, Ruth refused: “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. ” (Ruth 1:16)
What would make Ruth leave the known for the unknown? Clearly she had a genuine concern and love for her mother-in-law. Her focus was to be a blessing to Naomi.
As she worked hard to provide for Naomi and herself, God positioned her at the right place at the right time to be seen by her future mate: Boaz. (see Ruth chap 1: 3 and 2:19-20)
Boaz recognized Ruth while she was working trying to provide for her own family. She was not hard pressed to find a man to take care of her. She was not even concerned about a husband.
Boaz learns three things about the character of Ruth:
1. Boaz learned that Ruth was not a selfish woman who was looking for a ticket out of Moab to find a man.
“Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband–how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.” (Ruth 2:11)
2. Ruth was a woman of integrity
“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. (Ruth 3:10)
3. Ruth was a virtous woman
“And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” (Ruth 3:11)
Like I said in the below video shared last week, you should not relocate for the sole purpose of finding a husband.
Let God take care of all the details while you simply live your life.
Should you have to relocate because of work, go if this is what God is leading you to do. And when you get there don’t try to position yourself, pursue purpose and the one that is purposed for you, will notice you!