DAY 8: RUTH

“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.” (Ruth 1:16-17)

Dear Christian,

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Ruth. 

Though Ruth was recently widowed and though she was given an opportunity to leave and restart her life — she refused and chose to lean in. Ruth held on to Naomi, her grieving mother-in-law, with no clue with how they were going to survive. From an outside observer their future looked bleak, but we see Ruth display her faithfulness in the midst of uncertainty.

It’s no wonder that this verse is often cited in weddings. It’s a reminder for us that when we face circumstances that are hard, we can still press in. Vows and promises aren’t made for when life is easy after all. They are made so that even when the ground falls beneath us, we can stand by them. 

However, I know many scenarios when I’ve backed down when I probably should have leaned in. 

But not our God. 

Jesus leaned in. He was loyal even to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)

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Created as part of the Books of the Bible Collection where I meditate on God’s beauty and faithfulness from beginning to end for 66 days from Genesis to Revelation. Each painting will be accompanied by an envelope containing a personal reflection based on the text the painting is based on.

An 11x14 inch original watercolor painting on 100% cold pressed cotton paper, 2023.