: To Be Like Ruth :

Decided I needed to do some research on strong, biblical examples of what a woman is.

Ruth was my first stop.

I only read the first chapter because I really want to dig deep. Hope you'll come along with me on this journey into womanhood! Ha!

For those of you who haven't read the book of Ruth, I'll give you an overview of its first chapter. There is a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech decides to take his wife, Naomi, and their two sons to Moab in hopes that they can live. Once there, however, Elimelech dies and leaves Naomi with her two sons, Mahlon and Kilion. (I love old names, that's why I'm putting them in here!!) The sons eventually marry Moabite women, and live for 10 years. After 10 years, BOTH the sons die, and Naomi is convinced she needs to go back to her hometown of Bethlehem. She tells both of her daughters-in-law to go back to their homes since there is no hope of Naomi having other sons for them to marry, and even if there WAS hope of that, she didnt want the girls to wait around for her sons to grow up. (Who WOULD want to wait that long?) Both daughters-in-law are sad, and one kisses Naomi and heads back to her hometown. But, the other stays. Even Naomi can't convince her to go back to where she came from. To go back to her home, to everything she has known, to everything she has loved. She will not be moved even though going back is the logical choice, and everyone around her seems to be telling her to leave. She stays. She is unmoved.

Ruth had a spirit that I desire to possess. First, she puts Naomi before herself. No doubt, young Ruth could've gone back home, met another man, been married, and lived a long and happy life. But, she saw Naomi in her weary state, and would not leave her, not matter how logical it seemed. Second, she knew what God had called her to do, and not even the most God fearing person she knew could persuade her otherwise. This is something I'm learning. I in no way condone rebellion, and I believe there is something to be said about getting wise council. But, there comes a point when it's really all about your personal relationship with Christ. What is HE telling you to do, or act like, or become, or do with your life? We often speak against listening to worldly advice, but what about wrong advice given by well meaning, Christ following people? Too often, people allow their personal opinions to leak out instead of really seeking God on the issue, and you are left with what you think is a word from the Lord that in reality is someones bias.

That's all for chapter 1! On to chapter 2,

L