When you think of the book of Ruth, what comes to mind? Most likely, you think of it as a beautiful love story. It’s got the original “Happily Ever After” fairy tale ending. But if you just see it as a love story, you’re missing out. There’s so much we can glean from this beauty-for-ashes story.
But Ruth didn’t lead a vast army or great nation. She didn’t do grand miracles. She didn’t have a big ministry that drew large crowds. And yet, Ruth is one of only two women with a book in the Bible named after her and she is one of only four women who have the distinction of being named in Jesus’s genealogy (Matthew 1:5).
So what was so special about Ruth?
Ruth’s superpower was her fierce integrity.
Ruth is an example of someone with audacious integrity, steadfast faithfulness and extreme commitment as well as great resourcefulness, humility and more. Ruth was loyal and devoted. Ruth served and loved. And Ruth trusted God.
Ruth is a wonderful model of this verse, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Ruth’s powerhouse traits are even more remarkable when you consider she was a Moabitess who moved to Bethlehem during the time of the judges. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 17:6)
There were several defining decisions Ruth made that unknowingly led her to becoming the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.
Ruth’s story shows us that our decisions in our professional and personal life matter.
No matter where you are in your leadership journey, people are watching your life. What messages are you sending? Do you keep your word and commitments and honor God in all areas of your life?
Your character counts. God wants you to shine from the inside out. He will give you the grace, strength and courage to live out His will and to become the leader He has called you to be.
