Are you there for those who need you?Today's Scripture:
Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for where ever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God."
Ruth 1:16
One of life's most joyous elements is relationships. All people are relational as we shared in our message last Sunday we rise like the bread, building intimacy and love with relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Undoubtedly, you have many important and close contacts in your life that you value and cherish. You want to build and sustain close relationships. You want to make them even more intimate, and more compelling.
This most important passage from the Bible shows Ruth relating to her mother-in-law, Naomi. With both of their lives devastated by death and disease, they ended up widows in a foreign land. When Naomi told Ruth to return to her people, Ruth resisted. Her loyalty to Naomi was so intense that she wanted to go with Naomi back to her homeland.
Ruth said she would stay with Naomi, live where she lived, accept Naomi's people as her own, and worship the same God Naomi worshiped.
What drove Ruth to this commitment? Scholars might answer many ways - love, a sense of moral right, a realization that without Naomi she had nothing - but here this from a little country preacher with no high degree or title; one answer to this question is paramount: Ruth chose to remain loyal to Naomi. She could have gone back to her people, no questions asked. She was off the hook free to choose her own way. She chose to love, follow, and live with Naomi.
Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi demonstrates the essence of commitment to another person: it is a choice you make everyday. As I celebrate my 40th year on this earth a blessing from God I ask myself and you whom are reading today's blog: "are you committed to those you love?". If you answered yes let me ask you one more question..."How do you show them your loyalty?"
Selah people' and friends take a look at the choices you make in your relationships. Work at being loyal, loving, giving, honest, forthright, and vulnerable. Loyalty will seal your relationships and make you one who is trusted and loved.
"Choose this day to rededicate yourselves to your loyalty to those close to you and even more importantly to the God who gave His Son so that we may have everlasting life."
Your pastor,
Rev Patrick Muston ~ via mobile Mount Olive, NC
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