Today’s Readings: Psalm 97; Ruth 2:1-13; Matthew 24:15-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Psalm 94
It would be easy for us to buy into the popular misconception that you have to be rich and powerful in order to make a difference in the world. To buy into that notion would be a huge mistake, however, for the sacred stories of our faith often teach us the very opposite. Case in point: Ruth. By most standards, Ruth was someone whom you would least expect to make a difference in the world. At every critical juncture in her life, Ruth made what most people would feel were the wrong decisions. When her husband died prematurely and Ruth had the chance to advance herself by marrying someone else, for instance, what did she do? Did she take advantage of the opportunity and marry someone rich and powerful? No. Ruth chose to stay at the side of her widowed mother-in-law. When she had the opportunity to remain in the safety and security of her home land following her husband’s death, what did Ruth do? She chose to follow Naomi into an unknown land. And when given the opportunity to work hard and secure resources that she could have hoarded for herself, what did Ruth do? She chose to share those limited resources with Naomi. Most folks would look at Ruth and her decisions and assume she was simply a doormat who made no difference in the world whatsoever. To draw such a conclusion would be a HUGE mistake for today’s passage tells us that Ruth’s quiet yet noble acts did make a difference: they caught the attention of Boaz and set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to their marriage. And if that wasn’t enough, one shouldn’t forget that Ruth later became not only the great-grandmother to King David – she also ended up being included in Jesus’ lineage! All of this is to say that as people of faith we have very different standards when it comes to understanding what it takes to make a difference in the world. Instead of establishing lives based on riches, we seek lives built on faith. Instead of acquiring power, we lead lives of humble service. Perhaps you are at a point in your life where you’ve wondered what difference your life has made. If that’s where you are, think of Ruth's story and you’ll be reminded what a huge difference simple acts of faith and trust can make in the big picture. Til next time…
It would be easy for us to buy into the popular misconception that you have to be rich and powerful in order to make a difference in the world. To buy into that notion would be a huge mistake, however, for the sacred stories of our faith often teach us the very opposite. Case in point: Ruth. By most standards, Ruth was someone whom you would least expect to make a difference in the world. At every critical juncture in her life, Ruth made what most people would feel were the wrong decisions. When her husband died prematurely and Ruth had the chance to advance herself by marrying someone else, for instance, what did she do? Did she take advantage of the opportunity and marry someone rich and powerful? No. Ruth chose to stay at the side of her widowed mother-in-law. When she had the opportunity to remain in the safety and security of her home land following her husband’s death, what did Ruth do? She chose to follow Naomi into an unknown land. And when given the opportunity to work hard and secure resources that she could have hoarded for herself, what did Ruth do? She chose to share those limited resources with Naomi. Most folks would look at Ruth and her decisions and assume she was simply a doormat who made no difference in the world whatsoever. To draw such a conclusion would be a HUGE mistake for today’s passage tells us that Ruth’s quiet yet noble acts did make a difference: they caught the attention of Boaz and set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to their marriage. And if that wasn’t enough, one shouldn’t forget that Ruth later became not only the great-grandmother to King David – she also ended up being included in Jesus’ lineage! All of this is to say that as people of faith we have very different standards when it comes to understanding what it takes to make a difference in the world. Instead of establishing lives based on riches, we seek lives built on faith. Instead of acquiring power, we lead lives of humble service. Perhaps you are at a point in your life where you’ve wondered what difference your life has made. If that’s where you are, think of Ruth's story and you’ll be reminded what a huge difference simple acts of faith and trust can make in the big picture. Til next time…
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