I’m so floored and blessed by reading a little book called “Ruth” in the Bible. What a story of God’s redemption and how accurately it portrays our story!

To be a Christian, we must experience what Ruth experienced. I don’t believe one is a Christian unless s/he had such an experience. What experience?

It’s when she says to Naomi, her mother-in-law, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16.

She was rejecting her own people when she did this. She was leaving behind everything she was familiar with. She was adopting a new way of thinking and living by deciding to go with Naomi. She was willing to be a foreigner and live the rest of her life that way. What was her reward? She got her name as one of the books of the Bible. But far more than that, she got to be the great grandma of king David. But more than that, she got on in the lineage of Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of very God of very God!

I will seem that she had given up much. But it’s nothing compared to what she received from God in return. What a story of what God is willing to do for those of us who are turning our backs on the world and turning to Christ, saying, “Your people will be my people and You will be my God!” What is our reward? God Himself and His inheritance!!!

For your sake, turn from your own upbringing. For your blessings, turn from your customs and cultures. For your reward, turn from your own people – even if they are your family and they are hindering you from turning toward Christ. For you own eternity sake!

Love,

PH