FRIENDLY MOTIVES
Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze´
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...” Ruth 1:15
Friendships can be complicated. Our motives, which can be both good and bad, affect our relationships. Please join me as we explore the relationship between Ruth and Naomi.
Ruth stands out in the Bible as a woman who is both holy and selfless. What drove her to leave everything behind to take care of her mother-in-law, Naomi. There was nothing that would lead her to believe that she would get anything out of the situation.
Rarely are any of us completely pure of heart. Let’s take a minute to think about the different reasons we make relationships. We are lonely and want someone to fill that void. We like how that friend makes us feel about ourselves. We want to have someone to trade off babysitting duties. Maybe we think certain friends will make us more successful; that they or their connections will rub off on us. Maybe we see some acquaintances as trophies. We think they make us look better to other people. Now, not all of these motives are bad. e need other people. God created us to live in a community, but when was the last time we befriended someone with no expectation? Are we ever kind to people without wanting something, even an emotional payoff, in return?
When Ruth traveled with Naomi back to Israel, she knew she would be working out in the fields all day just to be able to serve bread at her table. What she didn’t know was that God would allow her to catch the eye of someone who would redeem her, her new family’s heritage, and bring about redemption for all humankind. But she didn’t know that at the start. May we all be Ruth’s and show the selfless love that our Redeemer, Jesus, gave to us.
Heavenly Father,Thank you for the people you have brought into my life. Forgive me for the times that I have reached out with the wrong motives. Help me to love as Ruth loved. Amen.
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Monday, 08 March 2021.
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