Little & Leftovers: Stewarding When You Feel Left OutНамуна

Day 5: Finding Favor in the Leftovers

It's discouraging to feel like you've wasted seed only to gather leftovers. In some harvest seasons, you'll be gathering the full of what you've sown. In other seasons, you'll find yourself gathering leftovers from what others have harvested.

Ruth had followed her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem, leaving behind her homeland and her gods. She had sworn to stay with Naomi until death, even though she had nothing to offer her. She had lost her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law in a famine, leaving her with no children, no inheritance, and no security. She was a foreigner and widow living in a land that was not her own. But she believed.

"So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters." (Ruth 2:3)

Ruth went out to the fields to glean among the sheaves of barley. Every day, she followed the harvesters, picking up the stalks they left behind. She didn't mind the heat, dust, sweat, or occasional stares and whispers from onlookers. She was grateful for every grain she could gather and for every meal she could share with Naomi.

As Ruth gathered, she did not know that she had caught the eye of Boaz, the owner of the field. He was a man of integrity, kindness, and generosity, a relative of Naomi, and a kinsman-redeemer who could restore their family and fortune. She was not aware of it, but she had been noticed.

The faith of Ruth we admire today wasn't a faith she recognized at the time. When Boaz told her his plan for gathering the leftovers, she asked, "What have I done to deserve such kindness? I am only a foreigner" (v. 10). The favor she was experiencing wasn't something she expected.

Boaz told her what he had heard, and after recounting these things, he said, "May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done" (v. 12). Ruth was a Moabitess, but the Lord had been leading her the entire time. And because of her obedience, though she didn't realize the significance of all she had done, God was going to reward her.

Ruth was gathering leftovers and had no idea it was the start of a new season for her. A season of redemption, covenant, and legacy. One of destiny, purpose, and fulfillment. While she was gathering leftovers, God was gathering her. And so it is with you.

"And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:4)

Sometimes, the rewards are immediate and tangible. Other times, the rewards are more subtle and long-term. And sometimes the rewards are not for us to see, at least in this life. They may even be blessings poured out on others because of our obedience and faithfulness.

The beauty in God's rewards is that they are not dependent on our awareness or acknowledgment. Just as a tree doesn't need to understand the process of photosynthesis to bear fruit, we don't have to obsess over which of our acts of obedience and faithfulness will be rewarded. The rewards that matter are natural outcomes of living a life aligned with His will.

In this season, keep living and gathering, not for the applause of the world but for the approval of the one who sees you as you truly are. And remember that even the smallest acts of obedience can have a ripple effect, changing lives in ways you may never know. In the end, it is not the recognition of the world that defines your worth but the approval of your Creator. So, strive to live a life of faithfulness, knowing that every act of obedience is seen, valued, and rewarded by God.

Reflection:

1. When in your life have you felt like you were gathering leftovers? How did this impact your view of yourself, others, or God?
2. How can you remain faithful in this season?

Blessing:

Keep gathering.

Even if it's "just" the leftovers.

When it seems like others are thriving

while you're stuck with the leftovers,

don't lose hope.

You are not behind,

overlooked,

or forgotten.

You'll soon see

that while you were gathering,

God had more in store for you

than the harvest you thought you were missing out on.

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