Dear Friends of Longview Chapel,
Sunday, we heard from our first Biblical character, Ruth. Ruth’s story is found in the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures in the book of Ruth. She is mentioned briefly in Matthew. The name “Ruth,” actually means “good friend.” Ruth demonstrated her ability to be a good friend in several ways.
— She was willing to take the risk of marrying a Jew – a person unlike her – in the first place. She was also willing to risk taking Naomi back to a land where she knew she would be an outsider. She also risked making connections with Boaz who could have easily refused to take her in.
— She knew grief of her own and could share the grief of others with genuine care and concern.
— In time, she found ways to be grateful even in difficult times.
— She was someone who explored, experimented and encouraged others. She allowed others to encourage and support her too.
As we continue to serve together at Longview Chapel, I would invite us to continue to strive to be “good friends” to God and to each other. Being grateful for the many ways we receive and give to each other is a great start. Actively helping each other to explore, experiment and encourage each other as we adventure into ministries new to us as well as continue to support ongoing ministries are all parts of being “good friends” too.
Ruth encourages us by her life to be open to God’s hand moving in ways we might not expect – calling us to give and to explore and experiment together. How can we encourage each other on this journey of faith?
Experimenting, Exploring, and Encouraging with You,
Pastor Donna