Today's Journey
Life on Level One
Dec.13,2012
"Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer.” Ruth 4:14
In
an ancient form of Chinese drama, plays were often performed on a
two-level stage. On the first level, the drama would unfold in the
natural sequence of the script, while on the second level the last act
of the play would be acted out simultaneously. This gave the audience a
distinct advantage—they knew how the story would end. In fact, it was
not uncommon for the audience to yell to the actors on level one,
warning them that their attitudes or actions were threatening the good
outcomes of the final act of the play.
Life is a lot like living
on “level one.” When life on level one is in the dumper, it’s easy to
forget that the unseen hand of God is already at work to bring the last
act to His glory and our good.
It was like that for Ruth and
Naomi. Their “level one” was not a pretty picture. After the unexpected
death of her husband and two sons, Naomi was left with her two
daughters-in-law as a marginalized immigrant in Moab. In an age when men
were the sole providers for their families and sons were a badge of
honor to a woman, this was no small problem. The level-one cry of this
destitute widow is understandable. “The Lord has afflicted me; the
Almighty has brought misfortune upon me” (Ruth 1:21).
In
Naomi’s excruciating pain, God was at work. Through Boaz’s noble
response to Naomi’s destitute need for a kinsman-redeemer, God was in
the process of designing a powerful picture of the rescuing work of
Jesus to redeem our lives from hopelessness. It was also in God’s
providence to place a Moabite woman in the line of Christ to prove that
all, regardless of race or background, could be included in His saving
grace (Matthew 1:5).
How did He get a Moabitess to Bethlehem where she could marry into the
line of Christ? He sent Naomi to Moab to bring one back! Without her
knowing it, God was positioning Naomi to be greatly used of God.
So
here’s the lesson. When level one is not a pretty picture, remember
that God is the manager of all that plays out in our lives. We are not
left to the winds of fate. I love the fact that He never wastes our
sorrows and that His hidden hand is working to turn our sorrows into
significance. Romans 8:28
assures us: “In all things God works for the good of those who love
him.” So, chin up! The God who works on level two guarantees a good and
glorious ending.
YOUR JOURNEY…
- Read Romans 8:28-29. According to verse 29, what is God’s purpose for my life? How does that affect my view of what is “good” for me?
- What challenges am I facing on level one right now? How does it help to know that God already knows what level two will bring?
- If my life were divided into acts like a play, what act would I be in right now? What act has been played out with an outcome that proved to be good for me?
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