For most of my life I knew who God was, but I never really had a strong desire to get to know Him in a personal way. I busied myself with my friends and simply trying to have fun. The thought of God never really crossed my mind during my days. I would be reminded of him on Sunday and Wednesday at church, but other than that I only thought about him when an adult brought him up in conversation.

Looking back at all the years I spent focusing on things that never really mattered or that wouldn’t last, saddens me. My focus and concerns for life were so wrong. I wish I was more like Ruth, who had a little taste of God in her life and then decided that she wanted more. And she was willing to do whatever it took to get him to be more in her life. She thirsted for Him in a way that I still don’t fully understand.

The book of Ruth in the Bible is not one of the longest book, maybe not even one of the most important, but it has such a great truth woven throughout the whole thing. I highly recommend reading through all 4 chapters before going on with this letter if you never have.

Ruth left her home, family, friends, and religion to seek a God that she only knew through a bitter woman. Even though her mother-in-law was bitter about her husband and sons dying, Ruth could still see that the God of Israel, our God today, was more real and full of love than the idols that her family and friends worshiped. Naomi, her mother-in-law, encouraged her to go back to her family so that she may once again find a husband to settle down with.

Ruth knew that the probability of never being married again was possible, especially because where she was going she would be considered an outsider. Ruth was a Moabitess, and the Jews would not be accepting of her easily, but she still chose to follow after God in reckless abandonment, rather than worry about what her future may hold.

How can Ruth have more of a desire to grow in a personal relationship with God than me? I have known God my entire life, but never thought once about giving it over completely to him. She was willing to change her life for God. She didn’t know where she was going or what she would be doing, but she was willing.

What am I willing to do for the Lord? Can I give up the old friends I know won’t lead me closer to God? Can I say goodbye to family that wants nothing to do with God? What about moving away from everything I know to a place that God leads? Am I willing to surrender to God in reckless abandonment today?

Are you?

                                                                                Signing off,
                                                                                Tami