Scripture Reading: Ruth 2:1-7
Finding the “right” opportunity when we’re unemployed or underemployed may seem hopeless. In the book of Ruth, we find an example of someone looking for work in less-than-ideal circumstances.
When Ruth and Naomi were in need, Ruth didn’t find the perfect job. Gleaning the fields was not a steady job with regular hours and a paycheck, and Ruth couldn’t necessarily expect to earn enough to feed her family. She was uncertain about whether she would be allowed to keep her position. But she went to work anyway. If a lack of jobs leaves us with seemingly menial opportunities, if discrimination prevents us from getting the job we are qualified for, if circumstances prevent us from getting the education we need for the job we want, if conditions make work seem hopeless, Ruth’s example demonstrates that we are called to work nonetheless.
We are all vulnerable to circumstances that make it difficult or impossible to earn a living. Natural disaster, layoff, redundancy, prejudice, injury, illness, bankruptcy, unfair treatment, legal restrictions, language barriers, lack of relevant training or experience, age, sex, economic mismanagement by others, geographic barriers, getting fired, and a host of other factors can prevent us from working to support ourselves and the people who depend on us. Still, God expects us to work as fully as we are able. Our work might not even earn any income at first, be it volunteering to help others, caring for family members, getting education or training, or caring for our homes. But even if we cannot find a job that meets our needs, we need to work to the highest degree we can.
Prayer: Lord, it seems so discouraging sometimes as I wrestle with what all this means. Help me have the strength to follow Ruth’s example and to do the things I can do. Amen.
Further Exploration: Click to listen to Haddon Robinson and Alice Mathews discuss practical tools for getting through a season of unemployment.
Author: Theology of Work Project
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Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
