This Sunday we embark on our journey with Ruth (winner of the OT book of choice for July. FYI, the Book of Revelation won for August).
This is a rich story of family, loss, support, generosity, community, love, planning, hope, faith, grief and more. Over the next four weeks we’ll explore the aftermath of “losing it all;” we’ll mine for clues in the literature of the story; we’ll revel in “the good ol’ days;” and we’ll gain some insights into the value of chosen family.
Sometimes it can feel like trouble comes out of nowhere. Everything was okay and then suddenly it wasn’t. Family was around and then they weren’t. The days unfolded as expected and then they didn’t. As Naomi says in chapter one “I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty.” We can lose it all in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Although we can’t foresee the challenges that will come our way, we can perhaps plan for them in some way. And the book of Ruth might offer us some clues.
Between now and Sunday perhaps ask yourself:
- - If (when) adversity shows up, do I see God as against me, or with me in the struggle?
- - Who are my people when times get tough?
- - Who do I lean on, and who can I count on being there?
- - Am I able to be the rock for someone else when life goes sideways?
Welcome to chapter 1 of the Book of Ruth.