not about you

What a lovely morning it is today in Virginia Beach!  

No – not really

It is dark and damp outside … and I believe I actually heard thunder last night

No worries though … we have other things to focus upon

And, what is the topic this morning? Here’s a hint: not you

I am not being mean, honestly I am not

The topic, of course, is LOVE but we will be focusing especially about the fact that

          love ... it is not about you (or me) 

 

Yesterday we spent a great deal of time in the book of Ruth

It is one of the shorter books in the Bible – only four chapters

Yet, it actually focuses on love at several different levels

We will be talking about Ruth tomorrow and today we will be finishing our focus on Naomi

However –

 In order to finish Naomi’s story … I have to give away the ending of Ruth’s story

There has been tremendous loss –

And now these two ladies, linked by tragedy, have journeyed back to Naomi’s home town

Naomi and Ruth have returned but are not in the best position socially or financially

Remember, both are widows returning from a country where they experienced hard times

‘When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.’ Ruth 1:6

Three set out but only two returned

And understand, there was nothing for Ruth to gain in returning with and helping Naomi

We shared a few days ago that love is ‘other-focused’

Well that is the exact type of love that Ruth demonstrated

She followed out of loyalty and out of a love that understood – it is not about you

And even when they got back, Ruth’s love was still ‘other-focused’

She decides to go work in the fields in order to get resources for the both of them

And Naomi stops being bitter long enough – to help her

Real love, the type demonstrated by Ruth, it is contagious

And now Naomi is focused on loving others more than being consumed with her pain

Perhaps, in all her grumbling, Naomi finally realized that she was not truly empty-handed

She realized that, even in the times of hurt and loss, God’s blessings are still present

She had a daughter-in-law who loved her enough to leave her parents, friends and country

So now Naomi is caught up in this ‘not just about me’ kind of love

Understanding the people and the customs, Naomi helps Ruth,

She gives her pointers on how to navigate relationships – and boy did it work!

Ruth ends ups catching the eye of a kind (and wealthy) bachelor named Boaz  and both she and Naomi are richly blessed because of it

"So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. [And] When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. [Then] The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth. Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.” Ruth 4:13-16

 When you focus on love – instead of on pain, anger and bitterness,

something wonderful happens …

The LORD will turn your situation around

The LORD cares about what we care about & 

           'He will perfect that which concerns [us]’ Psalm 138:8

You will not have to worry about how to get blessed;

the LORD will cause blessings to chase you down

When you no longer fret and realize that everything is not about you,

God will make it His business to make it all about you

 

Have a Blessed Day!