Ruth Clung to Her: Living a Life Worth Following
Scripture
“But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.’”
– Ruth 1:16 (NKJV)
Devotion
Two daughters-in-law had the same circumstances: widowhood, loss, uncertainty. Both loved Naomi. Both cried. Both started the journey.
But at the crossroads, Orpah kissed Naomi and went back; Ruth clung to Naomi and moved forward.
Why did Ruth cling? Pastor suggested this: Naomi had something inside her that Ruth wanted. Even in the grief, even in the bitterness, there was something of God that made Ruth say, “I’m not letting go. I’m going where you’re going. Your God will be my God.”
Everyone is influencing someone. The question isn’t whether people are watching you; it’s what they see when they do.
Are you living a life that makes people want to know your God? Do your attitudes, decisions, and responses to stress make people want to cling to you spiritually, to walk behind you as you walk toward Christ? Or do they see such inconsistency, compromise, or negativity that they think, “If that’s what following Jesus looks like, I’ll pass.”
Ruth’s loyalty and Naomi’s imperfect but real faith brought Ruth into the field of Boaz, her redeemer, and into the very lineage of Christ. Your influence may reach far beyond anything you imagine. Someone’s future with God may be shaped because you chose to live a life worth following.
Reflection
“But Ruth said: 'Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.’”
– Ruth 1:16 (NKJV)
Devotion
Two daughters-in-law had the same circumstances: widowhood, loss, uncertainty. Both loved Naomi. Both cried. Both started the journey.
But at the crossroads, Orpah kissed Naomi and went back; Ruth clung to Naomi and moved forward.
Why did Ruth cling? Pastor suggested this: Naomi had something inside her that Ruth wanted. Even in the grief, even in the bitterness, there was something of God that made Ruth say, “I’m not letting go. I’m going where you’re going. Your God will be my God.”
Everyone is influencing someone. The question isn’t whether people are watching you; it’s what they see when they do.
Are you living a life that makes people want to know your God? Do your attitudes, decisions, and responses to stress make people want to cling to you spiritually, to walk behind you as you walk toward Christ? Or do they see such inconsistency, compromise, or negativity that they think, “If that’s what following Jesus looks like, I’ll pass.”
Ruth’s loyalty and Naomi’s imperfect but real faith brought Ruth into the field of Boaz, her redeemer, and into the very lineage of Christ. Your influence may reach far beyond anything you imagine. Someone’s future with God may be shaped because you chose to live a life worth following.
Reflection
- Who is “clinging” to you—watching you closely, learning from your example (children, spouse, younger believers, coworkers)?
- If they fully imitated your walk with Christ, where would they end up?
- What one area of your life needs to better reflect a Christlike example for those following behind you?