Surrendering to God’s Plan: A Lesson from Ruth’s Story in Ruth 3
Author: Maddie Turner
Surrendering to God’s Plan: A Lesson from Ruth’s Story
In life, we all face moments where we feel out of control. Moments where fear, uncertainty, and the need for security seem to take over. For Ruth and Naomi, their story is a powerful reminder of what it means to surrender—to let go of our need for control and trust that God is in control. As I walk through a season of uncertainty with my father’s cancer diagnosis, God has been teaching me this very lesson. Let me share what I’ve learned through Ruth’s story and how it applies to our lives today.
I. Introduction: A Glimpse Into Ruth’s Journey
Ruth 1: The Struggle of Loss and Uncertainty
In Ruth 1, Naomi loses both her husband and her two sons, leaving her in a foreign land without security. The culture of that time offered no rights to women; Naomi had no husband, no sons, and no way to provide for herself. In desperation, she decides to return to Bethlehem and urges her daughters-in-law to stay behind.
But Ruth makes a choice that goes beyond loyalty—she chooses to surrender her future to God. She decides to stay with Naomi, declaring, “Where you go, I will go.” This wasn’t just a physical journey; it was a deep, emotional surrender to God’s plan for her life.
Ruth 2: Trusting God’s Provision
As Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem, they are vulnerable, but Ruth steps out in faith, gleaning in the fields to provide for both of them. By God’s divine timing, she ends up in the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s. Boaz notices her and treats her with kindness, ensuring she is well provided for. Naomi soon realizes that Boaz could be a potential kinsman redeemer—someone who could step in and take responsibility for Ruth’s future.
Before we jump into Chapter 3, remember that Ruth and Naomi had no rights, no voice, and no guarantee of security. The fear and uncertainty they felt in this moment are relatable—we all face seasons where we have no control, and we wonder, Who will take care of me?
II. Ruth 3: Surrendering to God’s Will, Even When It’s Risky
Naomi’s Bold Plan
In Ruth 3, Naomi encourages Ruth to take a bold step of faith. She instructs Ruth to go to the threshing floor, where Boaz will be resting after a long day of work. Ruth is to approach Boaz and ask him to become her kinsman redeemer. This was a risky move, one that could have been misunderstood and caused embarrassment.
But Naomi’s plan is a call for Ruth to surrender her fears and doubts, trusting that God would guide her. Naomi doesn’t just tell Ruth to do something unconventional—she calls her to step out in faith, even when the outcome is unknown.
Relatable Application
There are moments in our lives when God calls us to step out of our comfort zones, to do something that feels risky, uncomfortable, or “out of the box.” Whether it’s asking for help, making a big life change, or surrendering something we’ve held onto tightly, the call to surrender often requires trust in God’s guidance.
Reflection Question:
Is there an area in your life where God might be calling you to step out in faith, even though it feels risky? How can you surrender your fears to Him in those moments?
III. Ruth’s Obedience and Boaz’s Response: Trusting God’s Timing in Surrender
Ruth’s Obedience
Ruth follows Naomi’s plan without hesitation. Even though it feels strange and intimidating, Ruth’s obedience shows complete trust in Naomi’s wisdom and in God’s provision. Ruth is essentially surrendering her own plan and placing herself in the hands of God, knowing that He will work out the details.
Discussion Question:
What does it look like for us to trust God’s timing when He asks us to step out in faith? How do we surrender our own timelines for God’s perfect one?
Boaz’s Response
When Boaz wakes up and sees Ruth at his feet, he responds with integrity and honor. He agrees to redeem her, but there’s a closer relative who has the first right to do so. Boaz doesn’t rush into the situation; he waits for the right moment. His patience is a picture of surrendering to God’s timing, trusting that His way is always better than ours.
Relatable Application
In a world that values instant results, Boaz teaches us that sometimes surrender means waiting—even when it’s difficult and feels like nothing is happening. We are tempted to take matters into our own hands, but God values patience and integrity, even when it takes longer than we expect.
Discussion Question:
How can we model Boaz’s patience in our own lives, especially when things are taking longer than we hoped? When we surrender to God’s plan, we trust that His timing is always best.
IV. Ruth Returns to Naomi with Good News: Surrendering Our Worries and Resting in God’s Peace
Ruth’s Return to Naomi
Ruth returns to Naomi with the good news: Boaz has promised to redeem her, but there’s a closer relative who has the first right. Naomi encourages Ruth to rest and wait patiently for God’s plan to unfold. This act of waiting is another form of surrender—trusting that God is in control and will take care of the situation, even when we can’t see it yet.
V. Key Takeaways: Trusting God’s Plan
Ruth’s story reminds us that even in uncertainty, God has a plan for our lives. We don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, but we trust that God is working behind the scenes. When we surrender to Him, we find peace and freedom.
Surrendering control is a key theme in Ruth’s journey. True peace comes when we let go of fear, trust God’s provision, and step into the unknown, knowing that He’s guiding us every step of the way.
Boaz’s integrity and patience remind us that God’s plan may not always move as fast as we want, but it’s always worth the wait.
Naomi’s reassurance to Ruth to rest and wait teaches us that God’s peace comes when we surrender the outcome to Him, trusting that He is faithful to complete what He has started.
Personal Story: Surrendering to God’s Will in the Face of Fear
In the midst of walking through my dad’s cancer diagnosis, surrendering control has never been more real. It’s been a season of fear, the unknown, and the constant temptation to take control—whether through endless research, conversations with specialists, or seeking answers.
But I’ve realized that surrendering doesn’t mean giving up; it means giving over. It means choosing to place everything I cannot control—test results, treatments, the future—into God’s hands. It’s letting go of the need to figure it all out, trusting that God is holding my family’s future.
Surrendering is hard, but it’s the one thing that’s brought me peace in the midst of chaos. Just like Ruth had to trust that God’s plan was greater than her own, I’m learning to trust that God is at work, even in the uncertainty. Surrendering to His will doesn’t mean we stop feeling fear or uncertainty, but it means we choose to trust that He’s in control and will guide us, no matter what.
A Final Reflection: Surrendering to God’s Perfect Plan
As we’ve seen in Ruth’s story, surrender isn’t a one-time decision but a daily choice to let go of the things we can’t control and trust in God's timing. Just like Ruth, we often face moments where we don’t know the outcome or feel like everything is out of our hands. But the beauty of surrender is that we don’t have to have all the answers. Instead, we are invited to rest in the assurance that God holds our future and that His plan is always good.
As you reflect on your own journey, I encourage you to take a moment to think about the areas where you are still holding on. Maybe it’s a fear, a relationship, or a future you’re trying to control. Whatever it is, God is asking you to trust Him with it—to place it in His hands and allow Him to carry the weight that was never meant for you to bear.
Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up; it means giving over—giving over the uncertainty, the fear, and the outcome to the One who holds it all in His hands.
I pray that as you go forward, you can feel the peace that comes with trusting God’s timing, just like Ruth did, and know that you are not alone in your struggles. God is faithful, and He will guide you through each step, no matter how uncertain it may feel.
May this journey of surrender be one of peace, trust, and rest in God's loving hands.