Incarnation

Ruth wakes up one morning to a world of complete devastation. It’s amazing how quickly a life can change. Her husband of 10 years has died along with His brother and father. She and her mother-in-law, Naomi, are left alone after her sister-in-law goes back to her family of origin. These two women are grief-stricken, penniless, and powerless. They didn’t ask for these circumstances. They didn’t cause these circumstances. But they are feeling the brunt of them. Where would their next meal come from? How will they be protected from predators? How will they recover from the emotional flesh-wound of watching the men they love die? We don’t get to decide what happens to us, but we do get to decide how we respond. Will bitterness take residence or will they find hope and strength to carry on? Will they cling to a God who is good or lose their faith in God’s benevolence? These are the battles we all face when we suffer. And suffering is inevitable. Naomi begs Ruth to leave her knowing that if she stays it will likely be a death sentence. But Ruth refuses. She chooses to love Naomi with the kind of love that is willing to walk with her through her darkest valley. It’s a physical picture of the incarnation of Christ who has entered our broken world and will not leave us alone. It might not sound like much to some people; but the love a companion who will not leave you in your suffering is a love unlike any other.