WHERE YOU GO, I WILL GO – RUTH 1:16-17

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. 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. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

It takes a special grace, LOVE for a man to give himself out without any expectations. Man, by nature always seek his profit in everything and when there is none coming, man takes the easiest route out.

It is possible for us to give our money or gifts to people around us especially the needy but often, we need more to give.

Naomi was a poor (formerly rich), embittered woman (she lost her husband and two children) and had lost all with no hope but to go back to her land and await death in pain and regrets. Not wanting to blame the little women who married her two sons, she kindly and wholeheartedly sent them back to their parents so that they can be married again. Even though it was painful, but she has to do what was right; knowing that she has nothing to offer them.

Ruth, on the other hand was a young widow (even though she had lost a husband at a very youthful age).  She had hope of a brighter future even though it fails with a man, therefore, instantly comforting herself, she moves on with her life. Her experience had made her to understand what it feels to be lonely and sorrowful; therefore, she was ready to stay this old mother – in- law. She persisted on not going back but staying with the woman until they be parted by death, in fact she was ready to die with the old woman. Despite her need (for comfort and companionship), she decided to meet the need of others. She gave herself totally to Naomi. She had no money to offer Naomi but she made herself a source of provision unto her. She had no child to replace the dead sons of Naomi but she made herself a daughter unto her. Despite her loneliness, Ruth reaches out to strengthen Naomi with her presence.

There are many people out there like Naomi who need no money but someone to be Ruth to them. Some need a simple word of encouragement to get out of the pit of depression and state of desperation. Words like, “It is well”; “It is okay”; “Don’t worry”; “No matter what, Jesus loves you”; “ Jesus cares for you”… are what many crave for and couldn’t get that led them into compounded situations.

How many times have we spent time listening to people’s problems even when we don’t have solutions to them? How many times have we stretched forth our hands to embrace the lonely and dejected? How many times have we taken the burden of others to God in the room of prayers? How many times have we made ourselves a friend in need to someone? How many times have we become reliable and reliable to someone? How many times have we made ourselves someone’s confidant? How many times have we made ourselves people to have around? How many times have corrected someone’s mistakes without criticism? How many times have we gone extra mile to make another man stand? How many times have we cried with those in pain and laugh with those rejoicing?

It is more than our money. Give your time; give your words; give your hugs and embrace (but not to the opposite sex), give your strength; give comfort, give your smile; give your prayers; give your best   : make phone calls (flash if you are short of airtime); send messages; comment on appearance, dressings etc; ask if they have eaten even if you don’t have food to give them; visit people; run errands for people (it doesn’t lower your status).

GIVE YOURSELF, GOD WILL BE HONORED, OTHERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED AND YOU WILL BE APPRECIATED BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN TRILLION DOLLARS!