An ending… a closed door… something is dead. Life suddenly loses meaning.

And yet even in our season of ‘mourning’, there remains a flickering flame – which stands a chance of being re-ignited.

The book of Ruth in the Bible introduces Naomi, a mother-in-law to Ruth and Orpah. Naomi, loses her two sons, and technically loses the connection between herself and her two daughters-in-law. There really was no more reason to keep together. Orpah left Naomi – that was the natural thing to do. Ruth, against her mother-in-law’s instruction, chooses to stay on.

Ruth gave of herself, even when there was nothing for her to gain out of the relationship. There’s nothing like Nothingness – to test the Core of the people around you. In the journey of our relationships, we will face Seasons that will test the reason for our associations.

Ruth 1:16 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 will be my God.

Thrown out of our comfort zone – and thrust into new terrain where we have no means, we have no associations, yet we are forced to go out, and find a means of survival. We must step out and do that which our hands find to do.

Only thing is, we really can’t fake it. You see if you are truly committed to relationships, you will know how to stay committed to a cause, you will know how to truly give your all. It’s all you know how to do.

Ruth 2:6-7 The foreman replied, “She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”

Ruth stood out. She ‘worked steadily from morning’. She needed no interview, no papers, no references. Her work spoke for her. They call it favour. But you see, favour needs Packaging.

Ruth 2:8-9 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

Ruth received preferential treatment from Boaz. But yet, it was her diligent service that ‘earned’ his attention.

In a society where blending in, being part of the crowd, being mediocre is the norm – it takes authenticity and courage to give excellent service and stand out from the crowd.

Ruth 2:11 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.”

Sometimes it feels like our good deeds really count for nothing. We feel unappreciated, unrecognized, and really we have nothing to show for it. In God’s economy, every good deed counts. Soon, you will be remembered. Whether in the work place, in ministry, in your social life – your reputation will go ahead of you. Doors will open for you simply because of your selfless acts of kindness.

Ruth 3:1-2 One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be provided for? Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours?

In the course of life, you will encounter people whom you will serve, people with inside information that will help you, people whose recommendation will open doors for you. The grace and humility to deal respectfully with people at different levels is a priceless asset as we journey through life.

Ruth found favour before both Naomi and Boaz. While Boaz was willing to help and protect her in the field, Naomi saw a greater opportunity, and gave her inside information that would usher her into a new level.

And what’s more?

Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

Ruth had consistency of character. She stood out at home, at work, and in the society.

Boaz went ahead to marry Ruth. But yet, Ruth’s encounter with Naomi, and by extension, Boaz was really not about marriage. It was about Purpose. It was about fulfillment of Destiny. Ruth’s call was a Call for a lineage whose influence would be eternal.

Ruth 4:17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the Father of Jesse, the father of David.

You see, our lowest points mark a defining moment for us. We can either, like Ruth, make a choice that will lift us up and set us on a new trajectory; or out of exasperation, lose our resolve, take the easier route, and give up the fight of faith.

For Ruth to unlock her Purpose, she had to pass the Test of loyalty and commitment, the Test of diligence, and the Test of character. We must endeavor to pass our Tests.

And then, we must carry ourselves with a sense of dignity that calls for Doors of Purpose to be flung open for us…

Bon Voyage!