Toy Stories: Barbie — Sacrificial vs. Self-Serving - Tuesday
Today’s Verse
Ruth 1:16-18
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. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. (ESV)
Today’s verse is definitely in the theoretical Scripture Hall of Fame for the Bible Belt, and for good reason. In it, Ruth makes a declaration that completely redefines her life: “Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” She renounces her old identity, her old gods, her old life, and instead chooses to belong to the God of Abraham, even though the path ahead is uncertain. Naomi returns home bitter and empty, and Ruth voluntarily submits to this difficult journey beside her.
What a powerful example of repentance before the Savior was born (in the very town they’re heading back to). This is what repentance really looks like: turning your feet back toward God and letting go of every other unworthy distraction, destination, and definition.
The story of Ruth and Naomi is in good company, showing our desperate need for a savior and redemption in a way that parallels the Gospel. Throughout the Old Testament, there are these foreshadowing moments that we get the luxury of reading with full context (knowing where the story leads), but that doesn’t erase the deep longing and aching need that sits in the middle. The longing is the point.
It wouldn’t be a week of writing devotions if I didn’t reference my time as a small group leader in Southland Students. I spent a good portion of time this year reflecting on the kids that came through the ministry during my time. Conversations I remembered, what landed, what didn’t, what seemed to take root. It was definitely bittersweet to think that I might have had the last meaningful conversation with some of those students.
Here’s the thing that hit me: you can’t make someone return to God. You can sit with them, and you can walk beside them and pray for them. But they have to decide which direction their feet will go. And that’s what Ruth models for us. A decision. She turned toward God even when she didn’t have many answers; life was confusing, she was disappointed, and most things were unclear.
So, where are your feet pointed? What are you walking towards? Where is your momentum going? What’s your destination? Is it towards Jesus?
APPLICATION
Where is God asking you to turn back to Him rather than continuing on your own? Turning back isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about taking the next faithful step. Don’t wait until you feel ready, just turn.
PRAYER
Father, give me the humility to return to You in all areas of my life. Help me not to run from discomfort, but to trust You with it. Lead me back to You, even when it feels costly.
