Whatever happened to character and work ethic? Having talked with several HR directors and small business owners, finding people with character and a strong work ethic is a rare commodity these days. People show up for work late or not at all just because they don't feel like coming in or being there on time. Furthermore, they don't even call. Putting in a hard days work is becoming a thing of the past. Giving our best has given way to giving the minimum effort required.
Of course I'm speaking in generalities, not everyone is that way. But a trend is developing in our society. In our couch potato society, mediocrity seems to be the norm. There's a tendency to just get by. Complacency is becoming acceptable. Perhaps a natural result of a self absorbed culture.
That's what makes the story of Ruth is so amazing. Instead of being self absorbed, she is others centered. After her husband died at a young age, Ruth chooses to serve her mother-in-law instead of fending for herself. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, is also a widow and has no means of support. Both of her sons have died and now she is left with virtually nothing. Recognizing her daughter-in-laws are in a similar plight, but young enough to remarry, Naomi tries to send them back to their families.
But Ruth takes no thought of herself, only of her mother-in-law and dedicates her life to helping her survive. She goes back with Naomi to her husband's homeland. And since women in those days had no opportunity to earn a living other than through prostitution, slavery or begging, Naomi and Ruth had nothing but tough days ahead of them. But instead of doing any of those, Ruth headed for the fields to glean the leftovers from the local farmers' harvesting effort. She worked her tale off gathering grain each day so that she and Naomi would have something to eat.
Her efforts paid off. She impressed the eye of Boaz (who turned out to be her kinsmen redeemer) and his workers. They commented on her work ethic, determination and spirit. As they watched her work without complaint, they were moved to help her anyway they could. Her loyalty to Naomi became well known. Her selflessness and tireless spirit appreciated and admired. Her warmth and caring spirit made her attractive.
God rewarded Ruth, a non-Jew, for her faithfulness. Her character stood out to God, and she became the great grandmother of King David and the great, great grandmother of King Solomon. And if you trace the kingly line of David, you will realize, that it was through that line that Jesus was born.
What would have happened in history if Ruth would have called in sick or not shown up in the fields of Boaz. What would have happened if she would have decided to take the easy road and just go home to her parents? What would have happened if she would have taken the "just get by" mentality? Would David had been born? Would he have become king? Would Joseph and Mary been born? Would the redemption of the world happened?
Ruth wasn't anyone important. In fact, she wasn't even a Jew. Yet through her and her acts of faithfulness, redemption of mankind became possible. Our daily efforts do make a difference. Not giving our best day to day could effect more than we think. Character, work ethic, selflessness, a servant's heart can change the world. It's not about the size of the task or the position we hold. It's the attitude and spirit with which we do things that matter.
God, it's hard to see from our perspective what difference our attitude, character, work ethic makes in the big picture of life. It's so easy to slack off and to give minimum effort to things that we don't really see as important. Yet, God, even the little things we do seem to make a difference. The patterns we develop impacts others more than we think. Give me a spirit like Ruth's. I want to make a difference in the lives of others.
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