It Just So Happened

Written by Jarred Rushing

(5 minutes)

We cannot overstate the value of honor in the Kingdom. Remember, honor is the currency of the Kingdom of God. 

One day Ruth woke up and had an inspired thought to go and gather some grain from the edges of the fields. Ruth would have been aware that Israel had a longstanding commandment to take care of the poor by intentionally leaving behind some grain while they were reaping. So she voiced her idea and Naomi, her mother-in-law, said, "Go, my daughter." So she went.

I want to draw your attention to the words that the writer uses to describe Ruth's encounter. Listen to this:

"It just so happened that she found herself working at the edges of a field belonging to Boaz of the family of Elimelech." (Ruth 2:3)

It just so happened. As it turned out. The literal reading of this phrase is, "her chance chanced upon."

Ruth wakes up in the morning, has an inspired thought to glean some grain, and she just so happened to find herself in the field of Boaz later that day. And in the next verse we read that "at that moment, Boaz came from Bethlehem to survey his harvest." What are the odds! 

Everything lined up perfectly. Ruth and Boaz, in the same field, on the same day. One has to think, "how does this happen?"

Hold that thought and let's continue the story. While Boaz is speaking to his harvesters, he notices Ruth and proceeds to ask them "to whom does that woman belong?" The harvesters tell him everything they know: she's a foreigner who came back with Naomi, she asked them for permission to gather grain, and except for one short break she had been on her feet working the field since that morning.

Boaz approaches Ruth and says, "Listen, my daughter, don't leave this field to glean somewhere else. Stay here in my field and follow the young women who work for me. Watch my harvesters to see into which fields they go to cut grain, and follow them. When you're thirsty, go and drink from the water jugs that the young men have filled. I've warned the young men not to bother you."

I can only imagine the thoughts running through Ruth's head. "Wow! Why are you saying this to me? What did I do to deserve this kind of recognition? This is so sudden! How did this happen?" In a state of shock, she does allow one of her many questions to escape her mind.

Astounded, Ruth bowed low with her face to the ground, and said to him, “I’m a foreigner. Why have you been so kind and taken notice of me?” Boaz answered, “I’ve heard all about what you’ve done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I know your story—how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people and a culture that must seem strange to you. May Yahweh reward you for your sacrifices, and because of what you’ve done, may you have a full and rich reward from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to find shelter!” (Ruth 2:10-12)

Boaz answers Ruth with many words, but only one response: honor. 

"Ruth, your honor ushered you into this field and into my line of sight. What seems sudden to you isn't sudden at all. Your intentional acts of honor compounded over time and delivered you to this moment."

Let's allow Abba to use this story to drive the revelation of honor even deeper into our hearts. I think there is still a part of us that sees miracle-moments like this as happenstance. It's the luck of the draw. An outcome of chance. A mystery that can't be explained and certainly one that can't be controlled. When something extraordinary happens in your life, how do you look at it? How do you see it?

What if it's not happenstance at all? What if it's honor?

If honor is the currency of the Kingdom of God, then maybe the Kingdom-outcomes in our life have everything to do with how well we honor. What if your next encounter with Yahweh was proportionate to the degree that you honored Him?

Yikes! Could it be? 

Let me rephrase the question in a way that won't make your stomach turn. What if your next encounter with your husband or wife was proportionate to the degree that you honored them? What if your next encounter with your parents or your boss was proportionate to the degree that you honored them?

You see, the Kingdom of God is a relational kingdom, so it is fueled by the same thing that fuels every relationship in your life. We must move away from relationships of happenstance and move towards relationships of honor. There is no room for happenstance in relationships. You don't drift into marital bliss or great friendships, you honor yourself there. The path to every blessed relationship is paved by compounded acts of honor. 

Our relationship with God is no different. Your next encounter with Yahweh has everything to do with honor. 

As you take the walk with Abba today, I want you to do something different. I want you to think of the last time you experienced something extraordinary. The last time you experienced His presence in a powerful way. The last time you were unusually and unexpectedly blessed beyond measure. It may not be something others would consider a big deal, but it may have meant the world to you. I want you to remember that experience, let your heart be filled with gratitude all over again, and as you walk with Abba I want you to ask Him the same thing that Ruth asked Boaz: "Why have you been so kind and taken notice of me?" Then I want you to listen to Abba's response. You may be surprised when, instead of chalking it up to happenstance, He begins to highlight your personal acts of honor that led up to that experience. Also, don't be surprised when your acts of honor seem small in comparison to the reward you encountered, because that's the goodness of God. He's just that way. 

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Worship: "Miracle of the Mind" by Amanda Cook

Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place

Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!