"Your people will be my people, and your God my God" was read in 8 languages today at our annual retreat. Not only this verse, but the whole book of Ruth was read aloud in small groups. The anticipation was exhilarating as people got up when their language was called to go outside in this beautiful environment. Almost everyone speaks English is our organization, but by the end of the calling of the optional language groups, only expatriates were left in the conference room. Now that's practicing what we preach!
After we read in our language groups, the speaker talked about the days of Ruth. The time of the judges, when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Sometimes our days feel very much like that. In fact, the common phrase, "If it feels right to you..." or "Whatever works for you..." may be the equivalent of our day. What is right? What DOES work? For Ruth, it was choosing God, the God of Naomi. It was choosing to join a people, the Israelites, who were chosen and loved by that God. Choosing him even when evil men seemed to have their way, rejecting HIS way.
That is my choice too. In a day when everyone wants to blame God for all the pain in the world, and ask, "Where is God?" "He's right where he was when his Son hung on the cross," the speaker quoted someone today. He's on the throne, always doing good and loving us to himself where we will be forever safe and healed.
Sometimes I struggle to release my fear to God when I know he allows us to walk through fire. I imagine Ruth, losing her husband, then leaving her home to go live among a people who would most likely reject her. "When God breaks you, he will mend you," the speaker stated matter of factly. Comforting? Only when it's coupled with the knowledge that the mending will be forever, for his glory, and for our good...and for the good of those we love.
Please pray for us at retreat as we study the book of Ruth, rest with our colleagues, and choose to follow our good God no matter the cost.
After we read in our language groups, the speaker talked about the days of Ruth. The time of the judges, when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Sometimes our days feel very much like that. In fact, the common phrase, "If it feels right to you..." or "Whatever works for you..." may be the equivalent of our day. What is right? What DOES work? For Ruth, it was choosing God, the God of Naomi. It was choosing to join a people, the Israelites, who were chosen and loved by that God. Choosing him even when evil men seemed to have their way, rejecting HIS way.
That is my choice too. In a day when everyone wants to blame God for all the pain in the world, and ask, "Where is God?" "He's right where he was when his Son hung on the cross," the speaker quoted someone today. He's on the throne, always doing good and loving us to himself where we will be forever safe and healed.
Sometimes I struggle to release my fear to God when I know he allows us to walk through fire. I imagine Ruth, losing her husband, then leaving her home to go live among a people who would most likely reject her. "When God breaks you, he will mend you," the speaker stated matter of factly. Comforting? Only when it's coupled with the knowledge that the mending will be forever, for his glory, and for our good...and for the good of those we love.
Please pray for us at retreat as we study the book of Ruth, rest with our colleagues, and choose to follow our good God no matter the cost.
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| Our beautiful retreat notebooks painted by one of our colleagues. |
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