YOU HAVE THE RIGHT
REST EASY: LIVE FULLY LOVED BY GOD WITH NOTHING TO FEAR (20 DAYS IN RUTH) - DAY 16
When I attended Bible college, I was given special permission to drive to chapel by car instead of walking the half mile path to the church. My vehicle had three empty seats most days, but sometimes I would exercise my right as “taxi driver” to those in need and pick up a classmate on crutches who had torn an ACL while playing soccer. It wasn’t necessarily my responsibility to come to the rescue of the disadvantaged, but I felt compelled to show up and help remedy their distress. Had I not helped out, I am sure someone else would have followed through, and I would have missed out on meeting some amazing people.
You and I have twenty-four hours in our day. The minutes fill out quickly with mundane responsibilities that consume our attention. In the midst of our everyday ordinary, God will often “interrupt” us and bring a matter to our attention. Someone we know and love has been placed in a vulnerable position, and we have the power to exercise our right to partner with God and help bring redemption.
The “nameless” redeemer who was first in line declined to do the right thing. He failed to step forward and perform the role because it did not serve his own interest. Caring for his personal needs superseded any generosity or sacrifice to serve the needy widow and her daughter-in-law. Rather than take initiative, he passed on the responsibility to Boaz and lost the blessing God had in store for the husband of Ruth. He failed to follow through, and his name is forgotten without leaving a legacy of faith to outlast his life.
When we see a need, are we more prone to step back and play it safe to protect ourselves, or are we sacrificial servants who do the right thing and move forward to help the needy? Boaz chose wisely, and God blessed Him abundantly. We will never know what God “might have done” in our lives if we let our flesh and fear keep us from putting feet to our faith. If God brings a need to our attention, we need to take action.
Lord, help us to exercise our right to step forward to serve, rather than shrink back selfishly. Amen.
Fuel for Thought:
“For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Corinthians 8:21, NIV)