Regarding Little Decisions…

The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied, “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier. You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.” (Ruth 3:10, NIV)

Sometimes little decisions made along the journey of life can lead to great, or life-changing blessings we did not see coming nor plan for. That’s what we can be reminded about when we read the story of Ruth. Each time she decided to do something that seemed and felt right in the moment it put her closer to the blessing God had in store for her, unbeknownst to her, Naomi or Boaz.

After her husband, Naomi’s son, died and Naomi decided to return to her people in Bethlehem, and even though she pressured Ruth to return to her hometown and country of Moab, Ruth refused and decided to stick with her mother-in-law; that turned out to be a blessing. Ruth made the decision to go with Naomi and that one decision positioned her to work in the field of Boaz. Her decision to work in Boaz’s field—unaware of who he was—put her in position to be connect with him as her kinsman redeemer. Eventually the well thought out and timely decisions of Ruth resulted in her being in the lineage of David and then Jesus, the Lord’s Messiah. Boaz praised her because, as he said, she was a young woman and could have gone after a younger man, but she decided for him. What a blessing for him, but also for Ruth, Naomi and their offspring, Obed who became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David!  

How do you make decisions? If you are like most you make them based upon the best or likely outcome for yourself, as far as you can see or determine. You might make them based upon the options you see or have been presented to you. I’ve heard it said that the decisions we make today will be either the blessings or  regrets we reap and live with tomorrow. Even our small decisions today, in any area of life: work, relationship, finances, health, education can position us for God’s glory to be seen in some way; a fulfillment of the plans he has for us.

A well thought out, wise, and faith-inspired decision today may hold our future blessing and good. Today is a great day to make a good decision. Let’s Pray,

Lord, help me to make good decisions—even when it’s just about the small matters. There is no need for me to fear, be timid or hesitant about making decision because I not only have the mind of Christ, I have the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Reflective Questions for Self and Soul-Tending:

What decisions do you need to make today? What decision, if any, have you been putting off?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self and soul-care?