The Relationships You Build Mean More to People Than You Might
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Ruth said these words to Naomi in Ruth chapter 1: Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
At the time she said those words, I don’t believe that Ruth understood the gravity of what she was speaking. It would seem that the god or gods she worshiped could be traded in, because Scripture and generation upon generation have told us that there is a lot of misunderstanding amongst people about what comes after this life.
What I see in this passage is that friendship and relationships matter. Ruth did not know the God of the Israelites in a right way, but she knew Naomi, and whatever they had shared together along the way, it was enough for her to say: I would rather stay with you, adopt your customs, be a part of your family, and worship your God, than go and be with my people.
Are we as Christians utilizing that type of relationship? Are the bonds that we create powerful enough for people to say: I would rather be a part of your family than my own, because you care? Might that lead them to rejecting what is unsanitary in their hearts for the healing waters of the Savior?
I do a lot of ministry in the community, encouraging people away from the hurt, aggression, power struggles, and pain of the street. But only Jesus can bring them away from the hopelessness that is prevalent. I can only point to the One who gives me strength.
Recently, one person I minister to, said that they were thinking of moving and wanted help finding a Lutheran Church in this other area. This person doesn’t know much of what Lutheran theology is, but their experience here has been one of love and encouragement. That love and encouragement, by not just me, has given this person the opportunity to see what is behind our compassion. And I have seen where it has caused this person, at least in part, to reject things once thought inseparable from their character.
For those that read this, know your witness is greater than you think. Own those relationships for Christ. Amen.
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