Where you go...

Ruth 1:6-18

Ruth shouldn’t have stayed.

There was no hope for a future with a husband if she stayed.

There was no hope for a future with children if she stayed.

There was no hope to fulfill the cultural ideals of womanhood if she stayed.

And yet, she stayed with Naomi – clung to her, the scriptures say.

Maybe, fulfilling her personal goals wasn’t the most important.

The story of Ruth & Naomi is one of the most beautiful stories in the Old Testament.

To we, who are used to disposable relationships, it is beautiful.

To we, who are used to hearing that self-fulfillment is the point of life, it is beautiful.

To we, who are used to broken promises and broken friendships, it is beautiful.

Today, may you hear in Ruth’s words of devotion a faint echo of the fierce love your God has for you:

“Where you go, I will go...

Where you lodge, I will lodge…”

Say no more. If Ruth can stay with Naomi no matter what, don’t ever doubt your God can stay with you no matter what.

Prayer: God of faithfulness and love, no matter what journeys I travel, help me to rest in the assurance that you are my God and I am your child no matter what. Amen.