"Relationships with someone who you might not expect"

"May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Ruth 1:17 (NIV)

 It is very challenging for me to have a relationship with some people. I have nothing in common and sometimes I wonder why they want to be with me.  We have nothing in common. Hobbies. Age. Careers. There is nothing that draws me to that person.

     Well, the good news is, we are not the first people to struggle with this. In Ruth 1:1-18, three women became victims of famine and death. First Naomi husband dies. Then the other two women, Naomi daughters-in-law, husbands dies (1:3-5). Hearing that there is abundant food in Bethlehem, Naomi determines to return to her homeland. Both her daughters-in-law begin the journey with her (1:6). Naomi urges her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to Moab (1:8-9). Orpah decides to leave (1:14). But Ruth vows to accompany her mother-in-law and makes Naomi’s God her God (1:14-18).

     This passages teaches us that unlikely relationships can form if we don’t let pain rob us from accepting them.

     This week, ask God, look around, and take a risk. Look at the people you’re around right now, the people in your small group. Put yourself in a place where you’ll meet likeminded people. Join a ministry team. Go on a mission trip. Go on a marriage retreat and meet other couples. Remember, you’re not looking for a mentor. You’re not looking for a role model. You’re not looking for a counselor. All you’re looking for is someone to talk to, someone to be with for this season of your life. And when God puts that person on your heart, take a risk. Ask the person to have coffee. Invite him or her to sit with you in church. Ask someone to go skiing, maybe. Because spiritual friends turn the journey of life into a journey of faith that leads us right to God and his purposes.