This week we will be examining “who we are living our life for” and the question “Am I living for myself, for others, for God-where is my focus and from whom or what do I get the fulfillment that proves I am living the life I want?” Each week, I pray for God to choose and guide my words to shine a light on Him and to encourage all of you. My original thoughts for the direction of this post have changed and I want to start with the story of Ruth, my favorite woman in the Bible, to understand how to live your life for others. [CLICK HERE TO CATCH UP]
As I stepped into Ruth’s world for the first time during Kelly Minter’s Bible study Ruth-loss, love & legacy, I was hooked on her selflessness. The story begins with a woman named Naomi, who over a course of ten years lost her husband as well as her two sons, but gained two daughters-in-law, one of them named Ruth. Naomi had left her home, in Bethlehem to live in Moab, due to a famine, but was now ready to return. She encouraged both Ruth and the other daughter-in-law to return to their families by telling them she had nothing to offer them if they followed her. They both resisted her order, but only Ruth ultimately stayed behind with Naomi. Ruth’s words in this passage were pivotal for me as a newer follower of Jesus.
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
This selfless act characterized Ruth throughout the story and my first thought was “I want to be like Ruth when I grow up”. The story does not end here. Kelly Minter is quick to point out that the story of Ruth is one of redemption. It is “the foreshadowing of our own redemption through Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, the One who came to save us from our own versions of Moab. Who came to save us from our sin.”
I believe we are redeemed through one selfless act – Jesus stepped in to save us from the destruction of our sin when he bore it for us on the cross. My belief now is that when I grow up, I want my focus on Jesus as my fulfillment in life.
[Tweet “Living a life for God flows seamlessly into living a life for others if we are truly “ALL IN” as a child of God.”]
Centering on the One who chose us and our gifts even before we were born will produce the unfolding of a beautiful life. Our fulfillment comes from God because He gave it to us when He selflessly chose the cross for His son, Jesus, as an unwavering act of love and redemption for all people.
I love the confirmation I received in my email box this week from Max Lucado. He asks in his devotional, “Who is in charge?” He shares in a few short sentences that our fulfillment comes from God. He leads the way in our life if we accept and say “yes”. He illustrates this through God’s word-1 Thessalonians 5:9
God has destined us to the full attainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Max drives the point home through the following words:
God’s overarching desire is that you reach that destiny. His itinerary includes stops that encourage your journey. He frowns on stops that deter you. When his sovereign plan and your earthly plan collide, a decision must be made.
The decision has and always will be in your court. Will you choose fulfillment through God or will you let the world choose for you? Max finishes his devotion by asking a question.
Blessings,
Mary
Your voice and your heart shared here on this page will bless the community that visit here. I would be honored for you to join in the conversation!
Next week, we will look at the question-What is the life I want to live and do I have the courage to seek it out? I cherish each and everyone of you and would love to see you back here next week. If this post encouraged you or got you thinking and you don’t want to miss a single post, please sign up to receive my posts right to your email.
Blessed to be linking with:
So often I get carried away with my impetuous nature and hope that God’s plan and mine align. Thank you for the reminder to pause first and act after prayer and reflection and study. It’s a discipline I need to work on!
Me too! Sometimes as a mom I have felt that I can get the job done better by doing it myself and forget that God is always there to provide what I need. It’s a bad habit to get into because we are not strong enough or able enough without God. Blessed you stopped by Anita!
It’s an ongoing challenge to keep Jesus as my focus. I am meditating on Hebrews 12:1-3 today. I have that passage memorized and it’s so inspiring–all of it. But today I am focusing on “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart.” If I focus on Him, I won’t grow weary! That’s the important point I must internalize and do each moment of each day. Thanks so much, Mary, for encouraging us in our spiritual lives! Hugs to you!
Beth- I love how you study scripture and share it here with all. We all have opposition in our lives and for me the only way to overcome it is to let God be the leader in my life. Following His truths and His ways teaches me that doing life alone is not easy or the one I want to choose. Focusing on God takes perseverance and I pray each day that my eyes are focused on Him. Hugs and blessings!
I certainly didn’t make up the phrase “ALL IN”, but I’m thrilled to see it here reiterating what we are CHOOSING to do… together.
Excited doesn’t even begin to convey how I feel.
Love love love this piece!
Love you!
Heather- I love those two simple words-ALL IN! So much is wrapped up inside just waiting to be explored. I am enjoying looking more closely at deepening my own relationship with God and my series on Oprah’s Courage or God’s? has been opening my eyes to that. You are a blessing, Heather!
Loved this study on Ruth and am so glad you are sharing it with us at Testimony Tuesday! Thanks, sweet friend. xoxo
Ruth’s story has always impacted me and I love hearing others tell me the same thing. I do want to exemplify qualities of Ruth in my own life but realize that will only happen because I have first developed who I am in Christ. Thank you for your weekly link up and friendship.
Hi Mary! I just wrote a post about the importance of being connected to The Lord in life. It’s such an important thing to lead to a full life.
“Who is in charge” is such a great question! Do I pray on my decisions and let God have his say, or do I just bulldoze ahead and do it all my own way? I know which is better believe me. I just have to get better at giving over those bulldozer keys!
Blessings,
Ceil
My first reaction many times is to jump on that bulldozer, which I am not qualified to drive, just so I can get it done or say I did it. I need to practice releasing the keys also because God asks us just to let Him handle things. I love the way you put it! So blessed when you stop by and join me here, Ceil! Thank you!
Max’s questions nails it, doesn’t it, Mary! If we’ve got any lingering question in our mind about our motives, intentions, or agendas, that should clear it all up …
Thanks for taking us to the book of Ruth, friend.
Max does nail it often. Asking “who is in charge?” should give us the opportunity to pause and really answer that question for our own life. So glad to see you today and love your whole “nesting series”.
I also recently read a study on Ruth, and was similarly struck by her selflessness. What would I have done in the situation? Who knows!
If you’re interested, I am giving away a copy of the book, Colliding with Destiny. I suspect you might enjoy it, since you love the book of Ruth! 😉 http://faithmustardseed.com/2014/10/write31days-learning-to-rest-plus-a-giveaway/
I do love Ruth! Partially because she was the first women I read about in the Bible besides Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her story is so powerful. I loved seeing your beautiful face here today, Jen! I will check out your giveaway because I would love Colliding with Destiny. Have a beautiful week!