Day 65-The Story of Ruth

Hey guys!

     I want to start off this post with a scripture passage. Philippians 4:8 reads, "Finally brothers, whatever is noble, what ever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praise-worthy, think on these things." Not only is this one of my favorite passages in the bible, but it is also a great reminder. Not only is it saying not to sin, but it is also saying, don't even THINK about sinning. It says "think on these things" because we all know that the minute we stop thinking on those things, we will start thinking about sin.

     Currently, I am doing a bible study with the high school students on the book of Ruth, and I have never read about someone in the bible who honors Philippians 4:8 to a T as much as she does. I don't know about you, but I really didn't know much about Ruth going into this study, I could remember reading Ester over and over again growing up(what Christian little girl can resist a BIBLICAL princess story??), but I couldn't remember Ruth. Ruth shows over and over again in this story her faith in God, and her obedience to God. Essentially, Ruth's husband dies, and instead of going back to her homeland to live with her mother, she decides to go back to her mother-in-law's homeland, and live and serve her. Let's stop and think for a second, I know for me, if I had the chance to go back and live in Wheaton where all my friends and church is, I would be like, "Forget this, I'm GONE." No offense to anyone in North Carolina, but Wheaton is my HOME, and North Carolina isn't quite my home...yet. Anyways, Ruth was essentially faced with a similar situation, either go back home, with your family, your friends, and your LIFE, or go to a place where you know no one. The faith it must have taken to take that leap into the unknown is astounding to me! Fast-forwarding a few chapters, after Ruth has only been there for a short time, in Ruth 3:11, Ruth's relative, Boaz says this, "And now, my daughter, do not be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a women of EXCELLENCE." Ruth has been here a few days, MAYBE, no one knows who she is, or where she came from, but they DO know that she is a woman of EXCELLENCE. Being called a women of excellence is a big deal, but being called a women of excellence by someone who has known you for a few days, MAYBE? That, tells you something about Ruth's character.
        All throughout the book of Ruth, Ruth carries herself with honor, honesty, love towards others, and above all others, the way she carries herself is CONSTANTLY honoring to God. It is such a great passage for young Christians to read, especially girls. Ruth gives her trust completely to God, and God provides! Ruth is an example for all Christians of how to love others, how to love spouses, how to love extended family, and most of all, how to honor God when it's not always easy. I am so inspired by Ruth's unwavering faith, and I hope one day that I too will be seen as "a women of EXCELLANCE."