When We Tell Others, Their Interests are Peaked

Scripture: Ruth 2:19

Her mother-in-law then said to her, “Where did you glean today and where did you work? May he who took notice of you be blessed.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.”

Insights:  We learned yesterday when we are lavished on by the Lord, we need to tell other people about it.  As we are displaying this excitement to them, more often than not they will begin to ask questions.  Look at today’s verse for example.  Ruth has the “show and tell” we discussed yesterday and then Naomi responds, “Where did you work today?”  She has become interested in this lavished provision from the Lord.  Ruth tells here about Boaz and that answer sets us up for tomorrow’s Thoughts by Scott.  Until then, let me elaborate a little more on this idea of people asking us questions.  In 1 Peter 3:15 we read, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”  People will ask questions because their interests are peaked if our life is different.  The reason our lives are different is because we have this hope.  Ruth had hope and proof the Lord was going to provide for them.  As a result, she encouraged Naomi to believe in God’s grace as well.  Naomi wants to know more about this amazing grace of God.  Beloved, we must be ready to share with others the reason we have hope and we must unashamedly tell them the answer is Jesus.  It is my personal fear the reason the church is not seeing more dramatic advancements in the gospel is because the church has become blinded to the activity of God.  With our impaired vision we rationalize and justify the activities of this world and miss the connection between the Creator and His creation.  If we the church are not connecting the dots, then how can we expect the lost world to see His activity.  Romans tells us they are still accountable to God’s testimony even if they reject it or don’t acknowledge it because God is still working.  The church needs to be the one to help them to accept this message of hope and grace as they see it displayed in our lives.  Pray for the Lord to give you boldness and wisdom to point those pricked by your excitement to the Jesus.

Questions:

1. Have your conversations in life stirred others to ask you questions about your excitement in Jesus?

2. Do you have an intentional plan as to how to respond to people when they start asking questions for the excitement in your life?

Prayer: Father, please grant me the boldness and wisdom to know what to say to people who ask me for the reason I have hope.  Amen.