am I Ruth-less?

When was the last time you read the story of Ruth?

Well, if it's been a while, here is a quick refresher.

It all starts out when Naomi moves from Israel to Moab with her whole family when her two sons are still young. Her sons then marry Moabite women. Sadly, Naomi's husband dies, and so her sons take care of her. Then, tragically, her two sons die as well. The only family she has are her two daughters-in-law, but neither could provide for her because they were not men.

Something I love about Naomi, is that although she moved from her home, from a place where it was common to worship God to a place that did not know God, she never stopped worshipping God. Her relationship with God was evident to those who were receptive to it.

Naomi decided to go back to the place that was familiar to her. But she graciously told her daughters to go back home as that way it would be more likely for them to remarry.

Ruth, however, chose to stay with Naomi. But Orpah, in the end, decided to go home.

Ruth is so loyal to Naomi, so obedient to her leadership as a mother, and so generous toward her. Ruth noticed God in Naomi's life and this impacted her decision to stay. As a result, God favoured both Ruth and Naomi. Ruth marries Boaz, has a child and both Ruth and Naomi are taken care of for the rest of their lives.

The thought of our lives being like Ruth's is sweet. But how often do we honestly make daring decisions like Ruth? How often do we react with bravery? How often do we not question God's provision? How often do we follow our faith intuition? How often do we do the God-thing without hesitation?

But what about Orpah?

I wish there was more written about Orpah, but then I remember that Orpah chose a life without God and that although her story didn't end when she chose to go home, I think she lived an ordinary life.

In the moments when I feel like I'm about to make an Orpah-like decision, I remember that her life wasn't worth writing about.

I want a life worth writing about.

I want a life worth bragging about God's provision.

I want a life worth glorifying God, daily.

I want to be ruthless in my conviction to listen to my faith-filled intuition.

I want to be ruthless in my obedience to God, with no fear of the future.

I want to be ruthless in my loyalty, generosity and kindness.

And in moments when being like Ruth less creeps in, I pray that I will be reminded to continue to be ruthless instead.

JCS