Determined to Stay

The book of Ruth is one of my favorite books in the Bible! The inside and outside beauty of this precious woman, Ruth, ascends like flames from a warm fire on a cold winter night. I have personally read and admired this ancient mentor for years. She offers it all: friendship, beauty, hard work, determination, kindness, supernatural obedience, unmatched love, and childlike innocence. Yet, there is even more depth to this woman we call Ruth. 

Today, I would like to encourage you with one of Ruth’s greatest characteristics; she was determined to stay. Life’s most devastating train wreck had just occurred to Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi had buried not only her husband but both of her sons. As a result, she was left bitter, tired, and believing God had forsaken her. 

Ruth was married to one of her sons and must have been grieving her own private hell but that is not what arises from the pages of this story.  She is determined to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and quite focused on serving her.  

Ruth 1:15-18; 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”16 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. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

I don’t know about you, but I would do anything to have Ruth in my life. Naomi came to realize that Ruth’s determination was stronger than her bitterness. She is an ultimate family member and committed friend found in the pages of the Bible. 

Determination in today’s world seems to be couched around personal success and financial gain. Ruth’s “determination to stay” is so special and unique.  We live in a culture that’s about canceling, deleting, stopping, and leaving.  

As you read through Ruth's story, you discover that she redefined the honor and blessing found in her determination to stay. For the life of me, I don’t know for certain why Ruth was so determined. Was it to honor her husband? Had Naomi been such a great mother-in-law previously before this disaster that she wanted to pay her back for her kindness? Regardless of the why, I do understand this, she made a choice! She chose every day to be determined to stay.  

At elevateHim we are constantly challenging our team and the men and women who are walking in freedom to “quit quitting on yourself, God and others.” This simply means we don’t have to give in to our desire to quit when things are hard. We can stay just like Ruth did and when we do, God shows up and shows off because that is His true nature and character. 

What is God calling you to be determined to stay with, for, or by during this season? Is it a friend, a spouse, or one of your children? Is there a God-size dream? 

Whatever or whomever it is make a choice today to be determined to stay!  Pray for the tenacity and fortitude to stay no matter what.