God’s Bigger Story: Finding Love and Redemption in Ordinary Lives
Christmas reminds us that God is always writing a bigger story than we can see. Through the book of Ruth and the Christmas narrative, we discover how ordinary people making faithful choices become part of God’s extraordinary plan of redemption and love.
What Does the Story of Ruth Teach Us About God’s Love?
The book of Ruth concludes with a beautiful picture of God’s redemptive love. Ruth gives birth to a son named Obed, and the Lord enables her conception in a way that echoes the miraculous birth of Jesus. Both births involve God’s direct intervention and point to His greater plan of redemption.
The Child Redeemer
Obed becomes what the women call a “guardian redeemer” for Naomi. This child will “renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” The community prays that he will become famous throughout Israel, just as they had prayed for Boaz to be famous in Bethlehem. The transformation is remarkable. Naomi, who once said “call me bitter because I went away full and came back empty,” now holds her grandson in her arms. The women declare “Naomi has a son,” and she is pleasant again, no longer bitter.
How Does Ruth Connect to the Christmas Story?
The story’s biggest reveal comes quietly: “Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” This simple genealogical note changes everything. Obed becomes the grandfather of King David, placing him directly in the lineage that leads to Jesus Christ.
Parallels Between Ruth and Christmas
Both stories share remarkable similarities:
Young women make life-changing commitments to God
Both go to Bethlehem and have children who impact the world
Righteous men provide protection and care during desperate times
Kinsman redeemers pay a high price for restoration
Children arrive in spectacular ways in the lineage of kings
The Ruth story begins with no king in Israel and no bread in Bethlehem. It ends with the promise of a king and points toward Jesus, the true King and Bread of Life.
Why Do Genealogies Matter in Scripture?
It’s easy to skip over genealogies when reading the Bible, but they often contain the most important revelations. That simple line about Obed being David’s grandfather is the entire point of Ruth’s story. Biblical genealogies weren’t meant to be rushed through. They were designed for reflection and discussion. Each name represents stories, struggles, and God’s faithfulness through generations. When we slow down and consider these connections, we see how God weaves individual lives into His greater narrative.
What Does It Mean That God Writes a Bigger Story?
The people in Ruth’s story were ordinary individuals doing the next right thing. They had no idea their decisions would change the world forever. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, Boaz’s kindness to Ruth, and their faithfulness in small moments became part of the lineage that brought forth the Messiah.
Your Role in God’s Story
This truth applies to us today. Living ordinary lives while trying to do the next right thing has an impact on God’s bigger story in ways we may never fully comprehend. Our faithful choices matter more than we realize. The message of both Ruth and Christmas is that God brings a Redeemer into every story. Just as Obed redeemed a family and David redeemed a nation, Jesus was born to redeem the world and to redeem you personally.
How Can We Experience God’s Redemptive Love?
Jesus is the King we’ve been waiting for, the Bread we’ve been hungering for, and the Redeemer who paid the full price for our restoration. The question becomes: Will you let the Redeemer be your king?
Trusting Jesus with Your Story
This means trusting Him with your entire story – even the parts that feel unfinished or painful. It means opening your heart to the One who brings fullness out of emptiness, hope out of brokenness, and a future out of what feels lost. When Jesus enters any story, including yours, He changes everything. That’s what Christmas is really about – God’s love demonstrated through His willingness to enter our world and redeem our stories.
Life Application
This week, remember that God is writing a bigger story than you can see. Your faithful choices and commitment to doing the next right thing matter more than you realize. Don’t be so consumed with finishing tasks or reaching goals that you miss the important moments happening right in front of you. Take time to notice the people around you, your community, and the simple moments where God is present. These are where life really happens and where you encounter the Lord.
Consider these questions as you reflect on this message:
What “ordinary” choices am I making that God might be using for His bigger story?
How can I slow down this week to notice God’s presence in simple moments?
What parts of my story do I need to trust more fully to Jesus as my Redeemer and King?
How might my faithfulness in small things be impacting others in ways I don’t yet see?
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
