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How to walk in your Destiny

Updated on January 17, 2011

What is destiny?

According to the dictionary destiny is a sequence of events that is inevitable and unchangeable.

My definition of destiny is something that was preordained for you from before the foundation of this world, and depending on your choices in life that you make in each circumstance it can either lead you directly into or divert you away from your destiny. Your destiny will not change because God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb, and He knew who would be his called and chosen children. (Roman 8:29) “For whom He did foreknown, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he predestines, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justify, them he also glorified.”

The time factor in reaching your destiny is the only thing that’s within your control and that depends on your obedience or disobedience to God. Your path can be short or it can be long, it is all up to you, i.e... The children of Israel; an 11 day journey took them 40 years, and of that only the 2 who was faithful to God’s promise made it into the promise land; They were Joshua and Caleb, God knew before hand so it was no surprise to Him, and although the Israelites were God’s people He knew which ones would make it, and which ones would not; but all got the same opportunity to reach that land.

The book of Ruth

The book of Ruth is not just about destiny but it is also a love story as well, and it is one of my favorite stories in the bible.  The story talked about 4 individuals and the decisions that they made in the midst of tragedy, and the path they took that led them to redemption and recovery, their destiny was fulfilled with the help of our Lord. To reach your destiny there will be trails and tribulation along the way, it will bring you into a state of brokenness, to be overcome by faith, to receive your miracle in order to walk into your destiny.

Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz are the three main characters in this story, and it shows how their lives intertwined as far as destiny is concerned. Naomi was from Judah (an Israelite), she and her husband along with her 2 sons and their wives (Moabites, Gentiles women) name Ruth and Orpah were living in Moab when tragedy struck.  The women spouses were killed and it turned their world upside down, they were shattered beyond belief. Naomi the mother-in-law was so distress and despondent that she changed her name from Naomi meaning “My Delight” to Mara meaning “bitterness” to reflect her grief and her state of mind.

Decisions

After the death of the men all 3 women had choices to make, this is where things began to change for these women: Naomi, the mother-in-law decision was to leave Moab and return to Judah which was her birthplace, and she told her daughter-in-laws that they were both were free and for them to leave.

Orpah didn’t think twice about the matter, she decided to stay with her people and make life for herself. She felt that she was young and free, she wanted to explore her options, and she had no desire to stay with her mother – in – law and give up her freedom. Orpah decision took her back to paganism; we do not know what happen to her after she left, may be her destiny was fulfilled there.

Ruth’s decision was in the opposite direction from Orpah, Ruth decided that she was staying with her mother – in – law Naomi no matter what; she took a leap of Faith and made a strong commitment to her mother-in-law. (Ruth 1; 16-17)Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people. And thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.”

 Naomi and Ruth both returned to Judah, this was a foreign country to Ruth, and she was unaware of their customs and culture. Ruth exhibited unprecedented faith in a God that she was unfamiliar with when she made her declaration to Naomi with boldness, love, and humility. In Essen’s; Ruth said, mom where you go I will, and I’ll stay with you there until we both die and we will be buried beside each other, even in death you won’t be able to get rid of me. Wow!

Road to destiny

Ruth’s choice was what was best for her in the long run although she had no idea as to what was to become of her future, but because she made a decision based on faith she turned God’s heart towards her and he grant her wisdom and favor. Ruth’s decision took her into salvation and righteous living that propelled her into her destiny. (Naomi’s people were Israelites; her God, Jehovah, the God of Israel) Ruth was adopted into the spirit of Israel.

Now living in Judah, Ruth had to get familiar with the land’s customs and culture so she depended on Naomi to instruct,  counsel, and guide her as to the do’s and the don’ts of the land. Ruth’s first order of business was to survive, they needed food, and so she went looking, she eventually came upon this field where she gleaned for food. (Gleaning is a process of gathering grain or produce left in a field by reapers, ones who pick the produce. Mosaic Law required leaving this portion so that the poor would have a means of earning a living.)

Ruth and Boaz in love
Ruth and Boaz in love
Ruth and Boaz wedding
Ruth and Boaz wedding
Ruth and Boaz met
Ruth and Boaz met
Ruth's family
Ruth's family
Boaz, Ruth,Naomi and baby Obed
Boaz, Ruth,Naomi and baby Obed
Naomi and grandson Obed
Naomi and grandson Obed

Ruth and Boaz

The field Ruth was in belonged to a certain wealthy, good looking, and single young man named Boaz; unbeknown to her Boaz was a family member of Ruth’s deceased husband, coincidence? I think not; rather a set up orchestrated by God.

That same day Boaz came to town to check up on his field and workers, they met (the stage was set for favor, a new relationship, romance, and a bright future.) Destiny was at work, Ain’t God good?  When Boaz first laid eyes on Ruth he was smitten, he was very attracted to her and she found favor in his sight. Boaz inquired about her and found out all he needed to know about her, the news was impressive, and he was astonished at Ruth’s faithfulness towards her mother - in - law, and that endeared her to him even more, he did not want to lose sight of her.

Boaz acted swiftly on Ruth’s behalf because he did not want Ruth to leave and go elsewhere for food, so he prepared the way for Ruth to always have more than enough food to go home with. Boaz laid claim to Ruth and instructed his workers to leave food behind on purpose so Ruth could get it as she moved through the field, and he also warned the men who worked for him to watch after Ruth and see that no harm came to her else they would suffer the consequence of his wrath, and with that they backed off.

Ruth was also very attracted to Boaz, and she also wanted to get to know him. She was very much aware of Boaz kindness towards her, (Ruth 2:10) “why have I found grace in thine eyes that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” When Ruth returned home to Naomi and she saw that Ruth basket was filled with food she inquired as to what happened, and Ruth told her.

 When Naomi heard of Boaz she knew exactly who he was, and according to their custom she knew that a kindred would have the legal right to marry Ruth, and would be able to provide an inheritance for her, so she intervene and played matchmaker.  Ruth had a strong bond with Naomi, she trusted and respected her, so when Naomi told Ruth what to do to let Boaz know that she liked him and wanted him to be her husband, Ruth was wise to listen and obeyed, and Naomi’s advice paid off in the end.

Boaz now knew where the relationship stood and he knew that there was a problem that would hinder him from marrying Ruth right away. According to custom there was another kinsman who had the legal right ahead of him that could prevent Boaz marriage to Ruth, so Boaz had to address that problem.

Boaz went out on a mission to find his kin to inform him of the situation, and ask to have her hand in marriage, but the kin saw an opportunity to take advantage of Boaz and flex his superiority. The kinsman told Boaz that he wanted to marry Ruth although he didn’t love her; he wanted to stick it to Boaz, so Boaz had to find another way to get Ruth away from him legally and morally, it took a bit of ingenuity, the grace and favor of God was at work on Boaz behalf, and so Boaz prevailed and won the right to marry Ruth.

Boaz and Ruth did it God’s way they kept away from each other sexually until they were married, their marriage was richly blessed because when Boaz and Ruth finally came together Ruth got pregnant (Ruth 4:13) “So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her; and the Lord, gave her conception, and she bore a son.” God rewarded Ruth for having a right heart, Ruth was faithful and clung to her destiny and she inherited a family by marriage, this family line was no ordinary one because out of it came Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Now let’s look at what Naomi got out of this, her status in Judah was restored through her grandson, because of Ruth’s faithfulness to her she now had another male child to love and care for, this baby was considered by all to be Naomi’s own child. Her grandson was a blessing to her in her old age, and he continued on the family heritage. (Ruth 4:14-15) “Blessed be the lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto you a restorer of life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter-in-law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.

me and my Boaz to be
me and my Boaz to be
our wedding to be
our wedding to be
wedding cake
wedding cake

Faithfulness has its benefits

Being committed and faithful unto God will always bring favor upon your life, Ruth faithfulness and godly character turned her hopeless situation around and brought her into a greater inheritance, more than she could have ever imagined. Ruth did not let her circumstances or her past dictate her future; she did not let the past hinder her from getting what God preordained for her.

God’s love in Ruth’s life helped her to overcome all obstacles – poverty, racial prejudice, physical temptations, and mother-in-law differences, so can God’s love help us to overcome whatever problems we are facing today.

We all have to make choices in life, choose to walk with God He will restore your past failings with His grace, God loves a thankful heart so thank Him continuously for the things He bless you with because it will only lead to more and more blessings in your life.

I am still waiting to meet my Boaz, my waiting is not in vain because I know what God has shown me and I am holding on to His promises while I continue in obedience to God’s word and call in my life.

What about you, did destiny knocked? Do you have your Boaz?

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