Where You Go I'll Go...

During our devotional time this morning, Rand and I read the book of Ruth.

Ruth tells the story of Naomi, who was married to Elimelek. Naomi and Elimelek moved away from home and had two sons, both of whom married women from their new city. But Elimelek died, and within a few years both sons died as well. Naomi was obviously devastated to lose everyone she loved. She decided to move back home, and told her daughters-in-law that they were free to return to their families as well. But one of the daughters-in-law, Ruth, refused to go home, insisting on staying with Naomi. 

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." -Ruth 1:16-17

Short story made even shorter, Ruth and Naomi returned to Naomi's hometown, where Ruth married Boaz, a relative of her late father-in-law. Ruth and Boaz had a baby named Obed, Naomi was overjoyed at being a grandma, and they all lived happily ever after.

But not just happily ever after. Ruth, Boaz, and Obed are included in the lineage of Jesus (found in Matthew chapter 1). The lineage of Jesus!

I've read the book of Ruth (it's only 4 chapters) many times before, but it seems extra powerful during the Christmas season. 

God called Ruth to leave her people and follow Naomi to a strange land. This act of obedience wasn't easy. Her mother-in-law was bitter over losing her husband and sons. Ruth didn't know anyone. And yet when God called, she answered. And because of her obedience, she had a son, who had a son, who had a son, who had a son, who had a son (x25), who had a son named Joseph, who married a woman named Mary, who had a baby named Jesus. 

Wow! 

It's incredible to think that when we are willing to say "yes" to the hard, new places that God calls us to, it could literally change lives the world over.