It’s important not to overlook the fact that Ruth gave 100% to her work. We know she was given many opportunities by God, however, she also put in the work.
When I coached high school basketball for several years, I always took an interest in the kids who were humble, teachable, and hard workers. As a coach, I would take that type of kid any day over a naturally-talented athlete with an average work ethic. I knew that when they were really “bought in,” they would listen and give full effort for the entirety of the game. Even if they made mistakes, I usually stuck with them because they made those mistakes while trying to execute the game plan with 100% effort. At the end of the game, they could say they gave it all they had.
Ruth was a hard worker. She illustrates for us how a child of God should pursue the Father. That pursuit is accomplished by opportunities and blessings from God, but also, by our own responsible obedience to give 100% effort. Here is what commentator David Guzik writes in regards to Ruth’s work ethic…
We should use Ruth’s example to glean everything we can from the Word of God:
• Ruth worked hard.• Ruth had to stoop to gather every grain.• Ruth could only pick up one grain at a time.• Ruth had to hold on to each grain, and not immediately drop it.• Ruth took the grain home and threshed it.• Ruth took the threshed grain and winnowed it.• Ruth was nourished by the grain.
David Guzik
We must ask ourselves, do we pursue God with everything we have? Are we teachable? Are we humble? These are qualities that, when combined with God’s blessing, can produce growth and fruitfulness in our lives.