Even when it doesn't makes sense?

Have you ever studied the book of Ruth?  There are a lot of cultural nuances that I won’t explain, but let me summarize.

A man leaves Israel because of a famine with his two sons and they go to another country.  One of them marries Ruth and he dies, along with his father and brother, before they can have children.  Her mother-in-law is heading back to her homeland and Ruth insists on being loyal to her and go back with her, leaving her own home and parents.  Naomi, her mother in-law, argues with her and says — you need to go back live with your parents if you want to find a husband.   I’m too old to have another son and have you wait for him to marry you.   She is basically warning Ruth that if she leaves and goes with her, that she is giving up her hope of having a child.

But, committed to what she feels is the right thing to do, even if it didn’t make sense. Ruth leaves and, as it turns out, her loyalty to Naomi is what attracts Boaz, her next husband to her.   The result?  Ruth gives birth to a son who is a direct ancestor of David, and thus Jesus.

It didn’t make sense for Ruth to throw away her chances at marriage and children to do the right thing and be loyal to her husband’s family, committed to carrying on his family name.  But it worked out that Ruth was able to be part of making history because of her choice.   Ruth never knew that she would be listed among the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, but her commitment led to an incredible outcome.

Are you trying to make a choice between something you are thinking is the right thing to do and something that would benefit you personally?   Is God asking you to put yourself aside in order to do the right thing?   If so, you may never know the outcome in this lifetime, but choosing the right thing over the right thing for you, even when it doesn’t make sense, could change the world