Crazy Choices

Scripture – Ruth 1:11-14: ¹¹But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹²Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons—¹³would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’S hand has gone out against me!” ¹⁴At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) The love of Naomi continues. Sometimes love calls us to do hard things. As much as Naomi loved these two women, she believed the best choice for them was to leave her and begin new lives. So, even though they said they would stay with her, she told them to go. Orpah did that. And no one blames her for making that decision. Every bit of common sense – every cultural expectation would tell her to make that choice. Ruth, however…..? She was about to make a crazy choice.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will look at the choices I face today. How often am I guided by common sense, when perhaps God has something else in mind? What crazy thing might I choose today? I’ll keep open to that possibility.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, you made the craziest choice of all – giving up heaven’s glory to come here and die for us. Now you have called me to serve you. Teach me to loosen my grip on control. Use me in a new and different way today….if you want. I will also serve you through the routines if that’s your choice, as well. I guess the point is, teach me to serve you as you want, not as I want.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.