Read Ruth 2:21–23
WHERE DOES YOUR HEART GO?
One of the phrases Christians often use at this time of year is ‘Jesus is the
reason for the season’. It can be a helpful reminder that in the midst of
everything else, our hearts are meant to be captivated by the wonder of our
newborn king!
And yet it’s amazing how easily our hearts are drawn elsewhere in the
Christmas season. We are drawn to the shiny shopping displays and bright
websites that seek to persuade us their products will complete our lives. We
are drawn to the idea of putting on a ‘perfect Christmas’ and so receiving the
admiration of those we care about. We are drawn to the illusion of
‘Christmas control’, believing if we can just write enough lists and sort out
enough jobs, then this year’s celebrations will finally be everything we’d
hoped.
As chapter 2 draws to a close, today’s passage will invite us to consider
what is captivating our hearts in this season.
WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE?
Naomi has just been explaining to Ruth that Boaz is one of their family’s
‘guardian-redeemers’. Now, as Ruth and Naomi reflect on Ruth’s encounter
with this intriguing man, our narrator gives us three reminders as to where
hope is to be found.
Firstly, Ruth explains that Boaz has encouraged her to stay with his
workers until the harvest is over (v. 21). Secondly, Naomi responds to Ruth
by stating her own recommendation that staying with Boaz will be ‘good for
you’ (v. 22). Thirdly, we’re told that Ruth does indeed follow this advice: she
‘stayed close’ to Boaz’s party until the harvest was over (v. 23).
STATING THE OBVIOUS
Reading everything that’s happened so far, the decision to stay in Boaz’s field
might seem a fairly obvious decision! After all, why would Ruth go
anywhere else? As Naomi has said, the prospects from gleaning elsewhere
were at best uncertain and at worst dangerous (v. 22).
And yet how often our hearts wander from treasuring Christ. Making
‘obvious’ decisions isn’t quite so simple when our hearts are involved. As the
hymnwriter Robert Robinson puts it, ‘Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; prone
to leave the God I love’.
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One of the reasons why we have a Christian calendar – and why we mark
Advent and Christmas each year – is because a rhythm of following the
gospel story helps us to keep reorientating our hearts on Christ. He is the
place where true and lasting hope is to be found.
REFLECTION
Where is your heart tempted to wander at this time of year? Where do you
seek after satisfaction or hope? What has been captivating your daydreams or
dominating your to-do lists? Remind your own heart about how good it is to
remain with your Redeemer, and turn back to him in prayer now.
Listen to ‘Gather Round, Ye Children, Come’ by Andrew Peterson.
Taken from Robert Robinson’s hymn, ‘Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ (1758)
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