(Recommended Reading – The book of Ruth)
It takes all kinds of people in this world to make it go ‘round and succeed. We definitely need people with the personality and ability to be leaders – otherwise we would likely all just be wandering around aimlessly getting little to nothing accomplished.
However, you have probably heard the old saying “We have too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” This is a reference to a situation where there is not enough cooperation in a group to get things accomplished, because too many people want to be the boss and not enough people want to do what it takes to get things accomplished effectively. So, while we need those good leaders, there is a definite need to have people that are willing to be team players and do the work necessary to accomplish the goals.
Yes, there is the likelihood that a leader may get a lot of recognition for the success of whatever tasks have been completed. Yes, we all know that the said leader probably could not have been successful if not for the dedication and hard work of the followers. Yes, we also know that it can be discouraging at times for the followers if that said leader takes all the glory without offering any acknowledgement to the team that got things done. However, intelligent observers are going to know the truth about it regardless; and, many times the followers will receive rewards for their dedication somewhere down the road – if not for what they did on this job, on a future job. Their commitment may lead to unexpected blessings.
Every year when I am reading through the Bible, I love it when I get to the book of Ruth. That is where I was earlier this week and I noticed something that had escaped me in all the other times I had read it. The beginning of the first chapter tells how Elimelech, his wife Naomi and their two sons had moved from Judah to Moab because of a severe drought. Their sons had married Moabite women and after ten years Elimelech and the two sons had all died. Naomi heard that the drought had ended and was going to return to Judah with her two daughters-in-law. But she apparently decided that the young women should stay in their land, near their families and encouraged them to return home. One of them, after a lot of pushing by Naomi, did return. However, Ruth, her other daughter-in-law, refused to leave her.
“So Naomi said to her, ‘Ruth, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Go back home with her.’ But Ruth answered, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord’s worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!’ When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.” (Ruth 1:15-18 GNT) Those highlighted words are what stood out to me as I read it this week. That said to me that Ruth exemplified the epitome of a wonderful and dedicated follower.
Together they went on to Judah and after they arrived, Ruth worked tirelessly to help provide the necessities for their lives. She worked in a field of grain, gathering what was left behind by the harvesters so they would have food to eat. It turned out that the field belonged to Boaz, a family member of her deceased father-in-law. Over time, things happened in their lives – things that were somewhat dictated by the requirements in those days as far as responsibilities of family members to widows. Eventually, Boaz married Ruth. So as a dedicated follower, Ruth had the unexpected blessing of being cared for (along with Naomi) by Boaz, who was a wealthy and influential man.
After Boaz and Ruth married she became pregnant and had a son that was named Obed. “Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.” (Ruth 4:17b GNT) When following the generations after David you will find another huge, unexpected blessing – our Lord Jesus Christ was a descendant of this selfless, dedicated follower, Ruth.
It should not matter if we are natural leaders, or prefer to be a follower, we should all desire to be a follower when it comes to our relationship with God. He gave us the perfect leader in His son Jesus. He led a sinless life and gave us a living example of how to be the best person possible, with the best results possible; and, those results will be an eternity with our heavenly Father.
If you have not yet made the decision to be a follower of Christ, today should be your day! Just confess to God that you are a sinner, that you believe Jesus is His son and that He died so that your sins can be forgiven. Thank Him for coming into your life and being your Savior. It is as simple as that.
Now enjoy the unexpected blessings of being a follower.
To wrap this up, I will tell you that I love the song – I Will Follow You – by Chris Tomlin, and I want to share the words with you:
Where you go, I’ll go; Where you stay, I’ll stay; When you move, I’ll move; I will follow All your ways are good; All your ways are sure; I will trust in you alone Higher than my side; High above my life; I will trust in you alone Where you go, I’ll go; Where you stay, I’ll stay; When you move, I’ll move; I will follow you Who you love, I’ll love; How you serve I’ll serve; If this life I lose, I will follow you; I will follow you Light unto the world; Light unto my life; I will live for you alone You’re the one I seek; Knowing I will find; All I need in you alone, in you alone In you there’s life everlasting; In you there’s freedom for my soul; In you there’s joy, unending joy; And I will follow.
Written by Karran Martin – March 25, 2023
[All highlighted scripture is my emphasis]
Karran's Korner 