Being as Ruth: Love and sisterhood
In my life, I know that friends play an essential
role. They help us through difficult times, and they make our lives richer. Also,
I know that having God in my life has been an excellent friend; and He provides
in the bible examples about friendship. Reading Ruth's story with those words
in mind, I can genuinely see she embody what friendship is about. Ruth 1:14
clung to her. The word clung stood out to me.
In Hebrew means "to stay close, join together, etc." as God assigns friendship to be joined together, She joined
Naomi. Ruth and Naomi's friendship expresses God's faithfulness to those who
will serve each other when placed together as an extension of His love on this
earth. Her fierceness reminded me of those friends in my life that will not
take a no for an answer. You know those that, in their ways, says, "I'm
here for you no matter what, and I'm not leaving you." Even when you are
too ashamed and embarrassed to ask, still you gratefully receive the help. There's
a sort of ferocity and tenacity to the care Ruth exposes in her friendship with
Naomi, and it's one I have come to see in my own friendships. We might not
battle the same issues together, but I feel the force of love in their actions
and prayers. I'm a sister in arms with my friends, and I am glad we can do it
together when tragedies we must walk through in this life.
There are many different relationships God has a place
in my path. But the friendship that most of us want and need are the ones that
are willing to love unconditionally and deeper. You know those that are more
than just sitting with you watching a hallmark movie. The ones that ride or die
with you. That they are fierce in their bond of loyalty; Even through
tragedies, who refuse to leave your side when things look the bleakest. Ruth
1:16a, "Do not urge me to leave you or
to return from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you lodge,
I will lodge. Wow! What a display of loyalty. Her selflessness is so
admiring. She had no obligation to Naomi, yet she left all she knew to follow
her. She made a covenant with Naomi to stick by her no matter what. Their
commitment to each other is a lovely example of Christ's own self-giving for
humanity. When God places friendships in our path, we should enter them not
because of what we can get out of it but more about serving God through it. We
are to be examples of Christ's love to the world, and we can't do that if we
are self-centered by a "gimme" attitude in our friendships. When we
break free of the self-interest that destroys so many of our relationships and aims
to give our time, effort, attention, and love to those around us, we portray a wonderful
image of Christ's own self-giving.
Not only do we see her commitment and loyalty but her
courage. In Ruth 1:16b, "Your
people shall be my people. She is saying any friend of yours is a
friend of mine. How often do we get comfortable with our own kind of friends
that we are not willing to make new ones or extend our hand of friendship to
people who are entirely different from us? She demonstrates that friendships can
break boundaries of race, religion, and age. Despite her and Naomi having very
little in common; still, they established a solid and long-lasting friendship. Putting
their differences aside by being there for each other and supporting each other
in good times and bad. Ruth's example demonstrates that faith and persistence
break boundaries and let us live new lives.
Furthermore, Ruth 1:16b, and your God my God." What a testament to
Naomi that she showed such faith to Ruth that she was willing to give up her
Gods and identity to follow Yahweh, The God of Israel. Ruth and Naomi set an
excellent example for all women by having a shared love of God at the heart of
their friendship. I am so thankful for God's true friends in my life. The ones
that speak life into me and bring me closer to God. There have been some occasions
and life circumstances that have overshadowed the faithfulness of God. Which
made having friends to align you back to God invaluable. Just as their story is
a valuable one, not just because of the loyalty modeled by Ruth but because of
the way it exposes the sovereignty of God. Remember, She leads Ruth to the
Lord, whether or not she intended to do so. Her faith brought Ruth closer to
God. Naomi presented Ruth to God because she wanted Ruth to experience the joy
of having a relationship with the King of Kings. God was the foundation of
their friendship, and because of their relationship with God, they held each
other accountable for their faith.
Lastly, Ruth
1:20 She said to them, "Do not call me
Naomi;[a] call me Mara,[b] for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. A shattered woman, angry with God, Naomi was set
entirely on being alone and miserable. She even renamed herself from Naomi,
meaning pleasantness, to Mara, bitter. Naomi's hurt was so profound that it
became her identity! So what are we calling over our life that God has not
named you? You have a choice to see tragedies and pain as your identity or see
these negative emotions are not a lack of faith in God and see God has a reason
for everything, even if you don't understand it. But acknowledges that God
controls these events and lets it all happen. We have a choice.
God placed Godly women in my life who do not hesitate
to align my thoughts, words, and actions with God. Gracious
words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24 To make sure my choices
are based on trusting God and telling me again who I am in Christ. Ruth clung
to Naomi, stayed with her, and loved her. As much as we may feel like giving up
on them and their destructive ways, we must lean on God for the strength it
takes to keep loving them. For us, it may be continuing to bring a person
before God in prayer even though they are angry with Him. It may be going the
extra mile to make sure they feel loved even when they've been less than
welcoming to us. She was the rock at which Naomi stood, and she illustrates
loyalty, and she is the essence of true friendship. Naomi was no longer empty,
bitter, and tragic. She was a different woman, and it was because of what God
gave her in her friend Ruth. Ruth returns the favor of showing God's love to
her friend by supporting Naomi in the good times and the bad. Ruth's capability
to love, which is a God-given ability, wins over Naomi's inconsolable pain and
grief and brings her joy once again! . She didn't hesitate to give when Naomi
was in need. Yet, Ruth loved both God and Naomi, and she had chosen to be there.
That was enough for the relationship to go ahead on.
My sweet sister, be encouraged to be like Ruth,
desperate for God, and operate in your friendships, with God being your anchor.
Go and be Ruth to your friends and others. Be the friend who shares perspectives
we don't have. Who have abilities we will never have? Who provides
accountability under challenging seasons. Who refresh our hearts in all
seasons. Who reinforces our faith. Our love for God should strengthen all of
our actions, and our faith in God's Redeemer, Jesus Christ, should be the
source of our great hope and acts of devotion to our friendships.
You've got some
Ruth in you, So Be one!
Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for being our friend. Grateful
for the joy and beautiful friendships. Those who have stood there for us
through the ups and downs of life. For those who have walked alongside us even
when we've not been fantastic company. For those who have given us advice and
guidance. Please help us be true friends to other people, even
if it means giving up our own comfort, just like Ruth did for Naomi. Amen
Scriptures
Ruth 1, Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs
27:17, John 15:12-13
Reflect
Have you ever had such a friend like Ruth that has
stuck by you in challenging circumstances? Who is a friend like this that you
can rely on? How can you enhance your friendships? What steps can you take to
foster more consistency in your current friendships? What
should we do for our friends in the face of great opposition or uncertainty?
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