Becoming Ruth, Becoming Mary…Becoming You

From Emptiness to Renewal

In Ruth 1:16–17, Ruth clung to Naomi and said:

“I will go with you.

Your people will be my people,

and your God will be my God.”

Together they returned to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem.

Naomi’s words in Ruth 1:19–21 reveal the depth of her grief. When she returned home, she asked to be called Mara, meaning bitter, instead of Naomi, which means sweetness. She said the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her. She had left full and returned empty.

This story is as much about Naomi as it is about Ruth.

God cared for them both—just as He cares for and understands what is happening in your life today. He restores in His timing, and your heart will rejoice and be full again.

Do not be discouraged if delays occur. God does not empty your heart without a plan to refill it.

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Seasons of Loss

Both Naomi and Ruth carried deep heartache.

They were widows. Naomi grieved the loss of her husband and both of her sons. Ruth lost her husband and the security of a future family.

They found themselves in the middle of famine, in a foreign land, with no clear future—yet God was already at work.

Ruth went to the fields to glean wheat, gathering what remained after the harvest for those in need. The field belonged to Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s husband. He noticed Ruth and instructed his workers to treat her kindly and leave extra grain for her.

Boaz is often understood as a type of Christ, the redeeming kinsman.

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The Dark Night of the Soul

There are seasons in life that feel like a spiritual famine.

This season is often described as the dark night of the soul—a time marked by loss, mourning, and healing from unresolved wounds. Growth may feel slow. Identity and purpose may seem uncertain.

Ruth and Naomi navigated these setbacks with faith, prayer, and the guidance of God.

It is a time to cling to Him and sit quietly at His feet, trusting His leadership as though your life depends on it.

You cling to the hem of His garment and cleave to His heart.

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The Meaning of Clinging

The Hebrew word dāḇaq means to cling, cleave, adhere, or stick. It describes deep devotion and loyalty.

It is used to describe:

• a husband cleaving to his wife

• the soul clinging to God

• following closely after Him

These sacred moments shape your spiritual journey and prepare you for a life hidden in Christ.

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Seeking God in the Silence

Sometimes God appears to withdraw.

Like the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon, the soul searches anxiously for the beloved. This searching awakens a deeper hunger for God.

Have you ever felt famished for Him?

These seasons draw you into deeper intimacy. They reveal how much you truly rely on Him.

God does not tear something down within you without planning to rebuild something beautiful.

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From Famine to Provision

During these seasons you learn to see life through God’s lens when your own vision is dim.

You learn to hear His still, small voice when your ears feel dull.

Sitting quietly before Him refines your soul. He empties the old systems within you so that He can establish something new.

Galatians 2:20 reminds us:

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

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Recognizing Your Own Journey

Can you see how Ruth’s story reflects parts of your own life?

Perhaps you have known seasons where you felt full of joy and confidence, only to suddenly face a time of famine or despair.

You may wonder:

How did I get here?

How will I move forward?

Do not fear. God is not finished writing your story.

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Searching the Altars of the Heart

God examines the altars within your heart.

What have you built there?

Repentance and honest self-examination open the door for renewal. When we surrender our hearts to Him, He begins rebuilding our lives with new foundations.

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Trusting God’s Timing

God works daily—often unseen—shaping and refining the heart.

Ruth remained faithful through testing and pressure. Her faith opened the door for God’s perfect timing.

Darkness gave way to light.

Famine gave way to provision.

Waiting gave way to abundance.

God desires to do the same in your life.A Redeeming Love

Jesus becomes your Redeeming Kinsman.

He is your advocate, protector, and guide. As you walk with Him, you begin to experience His love more deeply.

Like the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon, the soul can declare:

“I have found the One whom my soul loves.”

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A New Beginning

Naomi returned home empty, yet she stood on the edge of a new beginning.

It was the start of the harvest season.

Ruth eventually married Boaz, and Naomi became a grandmother. Their story shaped generations and ultimately became part of the lineage of Jesus.

God transformed their sorrow into joy.

He desires to do the same in your life.

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Reflection & Journaling Prompt

Consider your own seasons of famine, loss, or spiritual dryness.

Ask yourself:

• Where have I experienced waiting or uncertainty?

• How has God been shaping my heart through these seasons?

• How might He be preparing me for a new beginning?

Write honestly before the Lord. Continue seeking Him with all your heart. He will complete the work He has begun in you.

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BECOMING MARY MAGDELENE

A Life Marked by Brokenness

Luke 8:2 — “Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.”

Isaiah 61:1 — “Healing the brokenhearted, freedom for captives.”

Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.”

Becoming Mary Magdalene carries a different weight for me—perhaps more than anyone else in Scripture.

She appears to have lived with deep, multifaceted wounds from which Jesus delivered her. Scripture tells us He cast seven demons from her, revealing a life shaped by trauma and spiritual oppression.

Her mind had been stripped of worth, value, and identity. Her life had been spent for the pleasure of others, leaving her heart exposed to abuse, cruelty, and rejection. She was misunderstood and mistreated—shunned, shamed, and bound by pain.

Her inner world was fractured. Her voice was silenced. Her sense of purpose was nearly erased.

Trauma had become familiar, and darkness had found a place to remain.

Yet God never defines a person by their brokenness.

He sees the heart He intends to restore.

Mary lived in the long ache between who she was and who she was created to be. Her days were marked by survival, not hope. Freedom felt unreachable—identity buried beneath layers of shame and torment.

No human voice could reach her deeply enough to set her free.

And then Jesus entered her story.

He did not recoil from her wounds or turn away from her history. He saw her fully—every fracture, every place pain had taken residence—and He spoke with authority and compassion.

Where darkness had ruled, His presence brought light.

Where torment had bound her mind, His word released her.

In a single encounter, what had defined her no longer had the right to remain.

Mary was delivered—not only from demons—but from the lie that she was beyond restoration.

The One who cast out darkness also called her whole.

Her past had sought to steal her voice, her value, and her identity. But darkness never has the final word. It must give way to the Light.

Her story continues to help many people today—transforming lives from victim to victor.

Seen and Known by the Savior

On the day Mary met her Savior, everything changed.

Jesus saw her through the light of His Father’s eyes. He saw her true purpose. He stepped into the emptiness of her heart and filled it with redeeming love.

Joy overwhelmed her—an unspeakable happiness she had never known.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
—John 10:10
Jesus did not leave her as He found her.
He rescued her—and He will not leave you either.
When you invite Him into your place of pain and suffering, He begins a good work in you.
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
—Philippians 1:6

Restored Identity

Knowing Who You Are and Whose You Are

The Lord once spoke to my heart and said:

“It is important how you see yourself. You must know your identity in Me.”

Mary’s deliverance awakened a calling and purpose.

One day she was bound. The next she was free.

She became a devoted follower of Jesus, even using her financial means to support His ministry. Her life became consecrated to serve Him.

“The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

—2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus healed and renewed her mind so she could fully receive His love.

Healing requires a renewed mind—one God can pour into.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

—Romans 12:2

Mercy changed her.

Grace anchored her.

Loyalty followed.

A Call to Freedom

What is your need today?

• Have you lost the sense of His voice leading you?

• Are you bound by sin, depression, or oppression?

• Have you lost your first love or slipped into doubt and unbelief?

When will you seek Him and cry out for freedom?

He will be right there.

“Call to Me and I will answer you.”

—Jeremiah 33:3

Do not allow darkness to remain where light is being invited.

Ask Jesus to shine truth into your heart. He desires to heal your mind and heart so He can work through you to impact others.

Devotion That Followed Him to the End

Mary followed Jesus faithfully.

She traveled with Him and the disciples. She stood at the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the disciple John.

She was also the first person to whom the resurrected Jesus revealed Himself.

When Jesus said:

“Mary… do not cling to Me.”

—John 20:16–17

The word cling means to hold fast out of deep need.

Isn’t it beautiful that Jesus welcomes this kind of devotion?

It is okay to cling to Him as your all in all.

Relearning Dependence

Have you ever depended on others to fill a void only God can heal?

Jesus reveals these places so restoration can begin.

Like Mary, we must relearn how to think. Old patterns, perceptions, and misplaced dependence must be surrendered.

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

—Exodus 20:3

It is okay to be alone with Jesus. He will do more for you than anyone else ever could.

Release what you once clung to—so you can cling to Him instead.

A Life Transformed

Transformation is a process.

Healing, patience, courage, and spiritual maturity develop over time.

After living in darkness for so long, Mary allowed Jesus full access to her soul. His light redeemed her and restored what had been lost.

Her life became a testimony of:

• faithfulness

• loyalty

• wisdom

• strength

• deep intimacy with the Lord

Though some later tried to distort her story, Heaven remembers her rightly—as one deeply loved and radically transformed.

“She loved much.”

—Luke 7:47

Like Mary Magdalene, true devotion is born when Jesus heals our identity and becomes the One we cling to above all else.

Reflection

He did not simply free her from darkness.

He gave her back her identity.

Mary learned who she was because she learned whose she was.

Jesus still meets us in our broken places—not with condemnation, but with compassion and authority to restore.

He has come to give you life—abundant, whole, and free.

Take a moment to pause and ask your heart where you may still be carrying old wounds or clinging to something other than Him.

Journal Prompt

Take a few quiet moments and reflect:

• Where have I allowed past wounds to define my identity?

• What or who am I clinging to that I need to release to Him?

• What would it look like to follow Jesus more closely—like Mary did?

Write honestly.
Speaking truth out loud and writing it in a journal can be a powerful step toward healing and freedom.

BECOMING MARY OF BETHANY

BECOMING MARY—OF BETHANY

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1. The Posture of Sitting at His Feet

Scripture: Luke 10:39

“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.”

Mary of Bethany learned best by sitting at the feet of Jesus. Her focus was on listening and understanding the true meaning and purpose of her life.

Mary was commended for her act of sitting.

This posture represents rest—it means being in a position where one’s weight is fully supported.

She cultivated a strategic approach to entering the heart of God. She was humble, hungry, and seeking truth, developing deep intimacy.

She gained understanding from the words spoken by Jesus. This trained her heart to minister, refined her voice through lived experience, and defined her identity in Him.

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2. Letting Go of Self to Enter the Heart of God

Scripture: Matthew 16:“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.”

The journey into the depths of God’s heart requires a willingness to let go of self.

You must answer God’s call on your life—and there will always be a cost.

Mary sat at His feet with intention and obedience.

3. The Costly Act of Worship

Scripture: John 12:3

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet… and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

Mary poured out the expensive oil, anointed His feet, and wiped them with her hair.

The aroma filled the room, revealing the costliness of her devotion.

A birthing of worship and intercession took place at the feet of His Majesty.

This was not the customary way things were done.

She wept as revelation unfolded—understanding His death, burial, and the role of the redeeming kinsman.

This revelation compelled her to go uninvited into the house where He was dining.

It cost her reputation. There were complaints about waste, and she endured rebuke.

Yet the leading of God was paramount.

She answered the call regardless of the price.

4. Obedience: The Highest Expression of Love

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22

“To obey is better than sacrifice.”

Are you willing to pay the price for the next leg of your journey?

Will you embrace the levels He desires to take you to?

Dying to self is the greatest reward in your calling.

Overcoming strongholds that hinder your purpose is essential.

Mary’s obedience was her greatest offering.

Though Jesus did not arrive in kingly robes or priestly garments, Mary recognized Him as King of Kings.

She wept in prayer and poured out extravagant love.

5. Discernment Formed Through Stillness

Scripture: John 13:16

“Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

It was her pleasure and honor to serve Him regardless of the outcome.

Her obedience was the most valuable gift she could give to the Lord.

Mary recognized and honored Him as King, even when others did not.

She gave Him the highest praise, pouring out an extravagant gift of love and devotion.

During the years she sat and listened to Him, she developed keen discernment.

The revelations she received were part of the cost she would pay.

She honored Him as her rightful King and leader—even as she cleansed His feet.

Later, He would cleanse the disciples’ feet and teach them something significant.

She learned the art of sitting still at His feet.

Listening in the stillness can feel loud at times.

The Lord has a blueprint for you, and these paths are taught in stillness.

You begin to see meaningful messages and important imagery in the quiet.

You must quiet your mind, center your spirit, and listen—to reflect, ponder, and pray before any labor.

These actions reveal what the Lord desires.

Waiting on God teaches you how to prepare and proceed into service.

Jesus did not deny Mary this time of growth—even when Martha had many duties and complained.

There is a pattern here.

Before you can be used by God, you will spend time sitting at His feet.

You must learn how to listen—being open to the calling He is developing in your heart.

Be patient. Grow comfortable with the quiet.

Allow Him to prepare you in the waiting.

You cannot hurry past this process.

You must remember:

In ministry, you have nothing to say unless He speaks and directs you.

Until you take time to listen and sit, you will not be ready to serve with the right posture.

Ministry places real demands on a person.

That is why we often see Jesus rising early—to be with the Father and refuel.

Otherwise, you will experience spiritual burnout and frustration.

This process may repeat, as it breaks down the old man and crucifies the flesh.

Sitting at His feet is a beautiful thing.

Clinging to Him is something I will forever cherish.

Closing Reflection

I am honored to have experienced all the past years of growth.

I have been listening to the Lord to share many things—especially concerning the development of the “NEW MOVE” He has been doing.

I am grateful to have been schooled in the importance of clinging to Jesus and sitting at His feet.

You must always return to the posture of humility.

Listen.

Evaluate yourself in Him.

This will always be evolving.

You will never outgrow clinging to Him.

You will never outgrow sitting at His feet and meditating on the revelations He gives.

He will share secrets with you along the way.

Your personal journey is a priceless privilege.

Reflection & Journaling

Where is the Lord inviting you to sit at His feet more intentionally?

Have you been moving ahead in service without first taking time to listen?

What might He be asking you to release so you can enter a deeper place of stillness and intimacy with Him?

Is there an area of your life where He is forming obedience, even when it feels costly or misunderstood?

Take a moment to be still before Him.

Listen. Take your time here.

To be present in His presence, and

allow Him speak to your heart.

BECOMING MARY ~ THE MOTHER OF JESUS

1. Receiving and Pondering the Word

Mary, the mother of Jesus, had many deep spiritual and prophetic encounters, including visits from angels. She learned to listen carefully and ponder the truths revealed in her heart.

It is unclear how much she was told about her Son and His purpose. Who could she turn to? Who could counsel her?

She was receiving revelation directly from the Lord.

She had to rely on Him—resting in His timing as the prophetic plan unfolded.

There had been a famine of the Word for 400 years. Yet here, we see a shift—the beginning of the fulfillment of the long-awaited promise.

The Messiah was coming.

The Holy Spirit was actively speaking, depositing truth into her heart. She held these things quietly, meditating and waiting for understanding.

This developed deep trust and patience within her.

2. Learning to Trust in the Unknown

Mary was quiet and still as she processed her divine pregnancy.

I imagine the emotions—fear, wonder, uncertainty.

She had to face:

• her family

• Joseph

• her community

When you are seeking God, you must pray first. Ask Him to guide your journey. Be open to how He speaks.

He will make things clear as you give Him time.

He will open doors, align connections, and unfold your destiny.

3. God-Ordained Connections

God led Mary to Elizabeth, who was also carrying a child of promise.

Elizabeth, from the priestly line, understood spiritual things. God was revealing His plan to both of them.

Zechariah, her husband, encountered the angel Gabriel but struggled with doubt due to the long famine of the Word. As a result, he was made mute until John was born.

This shows how prolonged spiritual dryness can weaken confidence.

Yet God was still moving.

4. When Faith Overcomes Fear

When Mary greeted Elizabeth, something powerful happened.

John leaped in the womb.

The Spirit filled the moment.

Elizabeth prophesied over Mary.

This brought reassurance.

Fear and confusion lifted.

Mary gained confidence that God would take care of everything—her family, Joseph, and her future.

God will align you with the right people at the right time.

5. Formed in Stillness and Relationship

Mary developed an inward connection with God through:

• reflection

• quietness

• communication with Him

If you cling to the Lord, you will learn to sit quietly.

You will begin to:

• evaluate your life

• recognize His hand

• see Him personally

This is where formation happens.

6. The Cost of the Calling

Mary watched her Son grow, remembering everything that had been spoken.

As a widow, she faced this season without Joseph.

Yet God surrounded her with support—John and Mary Magdalene stood with her.

At the cross, Jesus said:

“Behold your son… behold your mother.” (John 19:26–27)

Even in suffering, He cared for her.

But the cost was deep.

For 33 years, she carried the knowledge of His destiny.

Simeon had prophesied:

“A sword will pierce your own soul also.” (Luke 2:35)

She would share in His suffering.

7. Letting Go for God’s Greater Plan

Mary had to release control.

The Son she carried, birthed, and raised—was given for the world.

She had to process the cross.

She had to surrender what she loved most.

This was her offering.

8. Clinging in the Hardest Moments

John leaned on Jesus’ breast.

Mary Magdalene clung to Him.

At the cross, they stood with Mary—supporting her, holding her up.

In the most painful moments, God provides presence.

He is there when you must surrender what you hold dear.

Reflection & Journaling

Where is God asking you to trust Him, even when you do not understand the full picture?

Is there something in your life you are still trying to control instead of surrendering?

Have you taken time to sit quietly and ponder what He is speaking to your heart?

Who has God placed in your life to encourage and strengthen you in this season?

What might He be preparing you for through this process?

Take a moment to be still.

Listen.

Let Him speak to your heart.

BECOMING YOU!

1. The Question of Identity

After looking at Ruth and Mary, the question becomes… what does it look like to become YOU?”

Lastly, what makes BECOMING you so special? What are the steps to take to become more successful in being a better version of yourself? How can you become more confident with your own skills and insights GOD GIVES YOU?

Developing one’s identity in a psychological context involves change, growth, and self-discovery. “Becoming” is a noun that describes this journey.

This is the mystery behind door number one.

God wants YOU to know who you are. Whose you are!

He also says, there is a great deal of truth in knowing what your life purpose is. Finding it. Then staying in that lane.

Defining moments unveil parts of you.

2. The Distortion of Identity

These moments open you up to understanding that not everyone will value or appreciate you as a unique human. Only God knows and celebrates the real you He created.

We struggle to find this authentic being within.

Your experience might’ve been distorted by what others perceive as truth. Criticism and overly critical thinking shape in the young formative years. It trained your perception and understanding, sometimes minimizing His truth.

Most families have dealt with much knocking, rivalry, degrading and destruction. It can take its toll.

Negativity affects your mental health. It influences how you feel and how you respond.

Especially, if you are a person who likes to make others happy, your own self esteem and fulfillment can be neglected.

This is why many suffer.

3. Breaking the Lies

God wants to help you to find and destroy the lies that have kept you shackled.

These lies are what others bound you to by saying you are what they see.

You need to reject and denounce them.

That is all based on lies.

No one but God created you. No one but God can define you.

He alone says, it is important how you SEE YOURSELF!

He spoke this to me.

You must know that your own abilities are useless apart from God.

If you don’t count the cost, it may be easier to continue doing the same thing.

But living below the average means you will never obtain the life He desires for you.

The process of becoming you is gradual.

It is a process of transition from glory to glory.

You will discover humility, yielding, surrender and submission.

Obedience and prayer will become your primary focus.

5. The Inner Transformation Process

Your own prayers will be answered and carry weighty glory.

He is moved by your infirmities and your desires.

You know you cannot produce change without Him.

His grace manifests the outcome of your destiny.

We need the sanctification process to succeed.

We need the metamorphosis process to work.

Not remain stuck.

6. Putting Off the Old / Putting On the New

Putting off the old self involves not doing what you always want to do.

It means putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God. (Ephesians 4:22–24)

It involves listening to the Holy Spirit who works inner transformation.

The goal is to be led by God.

To live unto your Lord.

To deny your own wants and not live after false idols.

7. Letting Go of Control

Let go of the past and mediocrity.

Recognize the control you hold.

Let go of the pen.

Stop trying to make yourself happy by filling your life with things.

Let the Lord write upon your heart.

He knows how to bring lasting satisfaction.

We learn to walk after the Spirit.

Peace and joy guide us.

8. You Are Not Called to Be Like Others

Other people don’t get to choose your calling.

They don’t define what God wants for you.

We don’t choose our design.

Don’t allow people to silence your dreams.

Your relationship with the Lord will not look like everyone else’s.

We are called to be different.

9. Stop Comparing — Start Walking

Stop comparing yourself to others.

It diminishes your identity and sabotages your purpose.

Pursue the Lord.

Illuminate your heart.

Seek where you are now and where He wants you to be.

Are you walking in the path you are anointed in?

You are unique, special, and valuable to God.

10. Spiritual Identity & Warfare

You don’t belong to the enemy.

Deny his lies.

He will try to cause doubt.

He will use people to make you feel less than.

It is ok to be different.

God called you to stand apart.

To be a voice.

To be a watchman.

11. Learning to Embrace Who You Are

You will learn to relax.

You don’t have to have it all together.

You can enjoy the process of becoming you.

Give God the pen and eraser.

Your life is a canvas.

He will sketch His purposes.

Just like Joseph. He may have been stripped of the coat of many colors, but he never lost it. He wore it as an mantle.

God aligned him with his destiny at the right time.

12. Your Life Matters

Stop allowing others to define you.

You are not them.

You are you.

Your life matters to God.

Only you can reach the people assigned to you.

That version of you is what matters.

13. A New Beginning

Release negativity.

God will give you strength.

He will bring a new beginning.

He will bring the right people.

Be true to yourself in this process.

Seek Him first.

Ask Him to confirm your path.

14. Commitment to the Process

Love yourself with grace.

Work hard.

Commit to God.

Accept what He wants to do.

Break the chains.

Step into your future.

Dedicate your life to Him.

15. Let God Be the Author

Let God write on your heart.

Be whose you are.

Live in His love.

God is the artist of your life.

Let Him beautify your soul.

Let Him be the author of your journey.

Live, move, and have your being in Him. (Acts 17:28)

Reflection & Journaling

What lies have shaped how you see yourself?

Where is God asking you to surrender control?

Are you trying to become someone else instead of who He created you to be?

What would it look like to fully trust Him with your identity?

What step can you take today to walk in truth?

Final Line

Take your time here. Read slowly, and allow the Lord to speak to your heart.

Copyright: journeytofruit2025