Commitment essential
Ruth 1: 16-18 (GNT)
16 But Ruth answered, “Don't ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord's worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!”
18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.
What complete commitment Ruth displays!
Where do we find commitment like that today? To Naomi, to her people, and to God, she is unswerving, unconditional, dedicated, loyal, faithful. People made similar claims to follow Jesus — “I will follow you wherever you go.” But in the same breath gave an excuse as to why that following might have to wait a while! Jesus said, “Anyone who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use to the Kingdom of God.” He asks us to count the cost, take up our cross, in order to be a disciple. No one said following Jesus would be easy, and certainly not Jesus himself.
May the grace that came to Ruth’s heart come to our hearts too.
PRAYER:
Almighty God, great is your faithfulness from season to season and from generation to generation. Through Jesus you came to show your commitment to me and to your world, from Bethlehem to the Cross. Such love demands my soul, my life, my all. Let it be so. Let me prepare my heart this Advent to receive you anew that I may be found useful in building your Kingdom. Amen.
What are people saying?
Thank you, Robert, for reminding us that our relationship with the Lord should not be taken for granted and become ‘routine’, but needs to remain fresh and alive. I’m gaining a lot from this week’s contributions. And, on a technical note, I really like the new presentation style on Sanctuary First - very accessible and it looks great!
I want to say something!