Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? Is not Boaz our relative, with whose young women you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your cloak and go down to the threshing floor, but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.”
– Ruth 3:1-4
Ruth is one of the most beautiful, romantic, tragic, and awkward story in the entire Bible. The drama of it is like God’s version of Anne of Green Gables.
Yet because of it’s uniqueness, the story and character of Ruth is one of the most incredible things we can resemble as daughters of Christ.
Consider Ruth:
Her name means friendship, and in the worst and darkest of times, she stood strong with Naomi (her mother-in-law) and continued to remain faithful to her in the worst times.
My favorite part of the book of Ruth is when she goes to Boaz’s home and sleeps at his feet. A number of people think Ruth’s actions were disgusting and perverted, yet they were very humble and gracious. By sleeping at his feet, Ruth was telling Boaz that she wanted him to be a spiritual protection over her and that she needed help.
Just like Christ, Boaz later married Ruth and claimed the inheritance of her dead husband and they had a son named Obed; who later became the great grandfather of King David.
Ruth is afraid, she is helpless, and alone without the protection of a man to give her courage.
It is also this way with us.
We are alone, afraid, and helpless. Yet, only when we sit at the feet of the cross and let his sacrifice fall upon us, then and then only do we gain his help. Our burden is too heavy to be carried alone. Boaz carried Ruth’s burden with her. Sam carried Frodo’s burden with him. Polly carried Digory’s burden with him. Aravis and Shasta shared the same burden of loneliness and carried it together. Elijah carried his burdens with Elisha. I not only have someone to share my burdens with, but someone to lift them off my shoulders. We must surrender ourselves to Christ and let Him bear our burdens with us. In the book of Job is one of my favorite verses about surrender:
Surrender your heart to God, turn to Him in prayer, and give up your sins – even those you do in secret. Then you won’t be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless.
– Job 11:13-15
In the Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian has a burden when he leaves his corrupted city and follows the Road. His burden continues to get heavier and heavier until he literally lays it at the foot of the cross. Our life is a road, and only until we lay our heavy burden, our sins, our lives, into Christ’s hands do we have freedom. He rejoices to see us at peace; in fact, Christ weeps when we won’t take His peace!
To gain peace is to surrender to Christ and give Him your burden. To gain peace is to surrender to Christ and give Him your sins. To gain peace is to surrender to Christ and give Him your broken heart, your tears, your life. He is just waiting for you to give it to Him. He wants to help you, all He wants is for you to lay at His feet and humbly ask Him to take your burdens.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
– Matthew 11:28
With Joy in the Lord,
Emily 😀
P.S. Jamie Grace’s Come to Me song…hope it encourages you!! One of my favs.
