What a great day of worship yesterday! We also welcomed eight new families to our fellowship through our newcomer lunch!
When you read the first chapter of Ruth you see that Naomi and Ruth had two different responses to their grief.
Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law became bitter.
Ruth, a Moabite woman who had married into a Jewish family became better because she CHOSE GOD!
Naomi blamed God for her troubles. As she did, she reflected a poor witness about God to her two daughters-in-law.
Ruth turned to God in her time of trouble, and what we will see next Sunday is that rather than choosing the bitter way, Ruth chose the better way. Her life was going to take a dramatic turn for the better because of her desire to make God her God.
Some big takeaways:
Life will never be fair because we live in a sin-cursed world. No, God wasn’t being harsh towards Naomi. Spiritual and physical death was never part of His plan for our lives, but it is our reality because of Adam and Eve’s sin. Rather than blame God unfairly, let’s trust Him to see us through and make something beautiful out of life’s heartaches. It’s not about what we endure in life, but what we entrust to Him that will bring healing and joy back into our lives.
Naomi stayed focused on herself, her pain, and her grief without acknowledging that her daughters-in-law were also grieving the loss of their husbands. It is very easy to become self-absorbed when we are dealing with trials. We need to remember we aren’t the only ones hurting.
I wish I knew what God was up to in the midst of all of the struggles in our congregation. I wish I had answers for my friends who are dealing with life and death situations. I don’t know the why answer, but I do believe I know what is best to do when you are in the middle of those crises moments. Choose God. Choose God. Choose God.
Naomi and Ruth were on their way to the “House of Bread.” Things were about to take a turn for the better. It was the time of the barley harvest, a time when the community would express their joy and praise to God for His goodness. What a great atmosphere for two grieving widows. A fresh start. A new beginning. And they were going to learn that God’s resources were bigger than their burdens. Bitter or better? The choice is up to you.
Pastor Melissa
