Blessings in the Leftovers

Tuesday, June 7

Blessings in the Leftovers

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Ruth 2:2

When you read Ruth chapter 2, you think of a nice love story. Typically Ruth is read as a book of redemption and love. Ruth has arrived in Judah with her mother in law and the Kingsman Redeemer comes to their rescue. But there is more to the story. It is also a story about the blessings in the leftovers. Ruth was gleaning in the fields taking up what was left behind. In a not so pretty way, we can say Ruth was collecting the scraps or the garbage. As followers of Christ we know this is where God does His best work, in the things of life which aren’t seemingly pleasant.

Leftovers come in various categories. But, most often we identify leftovers with food. A meal was prepared and consumed and that which remains is either saved or discarded. While some despise leftovers, there are those of us who feast on them for several days. Our God loves the leftovers. He specializes in using the leftovers, the discarded, and the downcast for His purpose. Leftovers allow us to see that God’s strength is made perfect

None of us by choice would want to depend solely on leftovers ‑‑‑ especially other’s leftovers. However, we know that with God He will take what seems like nothing and turn it into something beautiful.

Just like Ruth and Naomi God will do the same for you. He will allow you to gather what seems like nothing, then He can bless it for His honor and His glory. With God, nothing is wasted.