Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and the National Retail Federation estimated Americans would spend $23.9 billion on gifts.
I saw friends answering questionaries about their significant others on Facebook, others shared Instagram stories to showcase their love, and some posted quotes and sweet sentiments that showcased their feelings.
One quote that’s often posted about love comes from the book of Ruth in the Bible:
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. – Ruth 1:16 ESV
Wow. That’s some serious commitment, right? Any of us could aspire to that kind of love with someone we are married to, or even dating.
What’s even more remarkable is when you look at the context of this conversation and find out it wasn’t even a romantic type of commitment at all.
Time out. Quick context for those of you who might not be as familiar with the story.
Naomi was married and had two sons. Naomi’s family moved to a place called Moab. In Moab, Naomi’s husband died. Her sons married women from Moab, and then both sons died, as well. Naomi is left with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi pleads with them to go re-marry and move on with their lives. Orpah finally agrees, but Ruth won’t relent.
That’s where we pick up the conversation in this verse, where daughter-in-law Ruth tells mother-in-law Naomi:
Quit asking me to leave you.
Where you go, I will go.
Where you stay, I will stay.
Your people will be my people.
Your God will be my God.
What a great picture of love, and not just in a romantic sense. In fact, this provides a blueprint of how we can love people during tough times.
Take a look.
Love them where they are. “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you.” In essence, Ruth tells Naomi, I’m going to stay by your side. I’ll be right where you are.
Love them where they’re going. “For where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.” Not only am I going to be where you are now, I’m going to stay with you!
Love them and their people. “Your people shall be my people.” Said another way, I’m going to love you and your family!
Right this very minute, you probably know someone who is hurting. Maybe a co-worker or a fellow church member. It might be a neighbor or another friend.
