Costly Callings

Ruth 1:16–17 (CJB)

16 But Rut said,

    “Don’t press me to leave you

    and stop following you;

    for wherever you go, I will go;

    and wherever you stay, I will stay.

    Your people will be my people

    and your God will be my God.

    17       Where you die, I will die;

    and there I will be buried.

    May ADONAI bring terrible curses on me,

    and worse ones as well,

    if anything but death

    separates you and me.”

Examine / Explain

Naomi was a widow who lost her sons. Her daughters-in-law were going to go back to Judah with Naomi. Naomi insisted they did not go with her but returned to their families. Ruth refused and stayed with Naomi in Bethlehem.

What’s the application?

What does ordinary everyday commitment look like after being called into the family of God? Ruth had forsaken tradition and had been converted to the faith of her mother-in-law. Her life was forever changed in her faith. To her, living a life with a faith family member was better than going back to living with blood in an old life. What am I not willing to give to live a life in complete commitment to Christ? What do I try to hang on to so that I can attempt to live a double life? Ruth is ultimately mentioned in Jesus’s lineage in Matthew’s book. Her commitment played out in a way that was instrumental in the eventual birth of Jesus. What actions and decisions in my life are going to play out in advancing the Kingdom? I’m sure in the moment neither Ruth nor Naomi knew what would happen later in their lives. Naomi even wanted to be called bitter. I would imagine that Naomi even appeared hopeless. Ruth would not leave her side. How is my mind made up about following Christ? I would like to believe I am adamant about my life in Him, however, I’m afraid some actions would make some question. Is that the question though? Our lives are a process of making mistakes, changing our minds, and continuing to pursue Christlikeness. So our lives won’t look perfect, but persistent. We want to live life by design and we are required to respond to every situation and circumstance. We have to be responsive. How are we going to respond? We are to have a predetermined response for most of life’s circumstances. For instance, we are to flee sexual immorality. That’s any form of it, like an image that comes across the TV, on our phones, or even in our thoughts. How do I deal with it? Do I entertain it? Do I dwell and not run from it? Do I linger too long? When we are pressed to leave our values we must be willing to pay the cost. Salvation is free and discipleship costs you everything. Going where He goes and doing what He did will take to die where He died. Serving others out of perfect love. This is our example.

What’s my response?

Dad, I want to live up to my calling in Christ. I want to live a consistent,  persistent, and intentional life. Too often I forget who I am. I forget who You called me to be. I am in sonship with the most high God. You are my heavenly Father. I am not required to earn Your love. I live in it. The outflow of my life should reflect Christ even in the ordinary and mundane things. My heart, soul, and mind should always be aligned with Yours. Living as a son means I go where You go, I’ll stay where You stay, and I will die where You died. Amen.