New Desire

New seasons of life bring about new want-to’s.  I remember looking forward to finishing the work day, rushing home, changing clothes, grabbing my faithful chair and sun visor and heading to the baseball field.  There was great excitement in that!  Uh -- no more!  This new season of life is I’m quite content with the leisurely drive home, casually changing clothes, and doing much-of-nothing.  Woohoo!

 

Ruth, deliberately and boldly, told Naomi, “Your people shall be my people.” (Ruth 1:16).  After the last game was played, the last ball caught, and final out called, I didn't announce “I’m done!”  It was, however, a defining moment – even a bit sad as we closed a chapter in our boys' lives.  Ruth’s declaration was much more than just words: she expressed a new desire – one which would leave behind all she knew stepping toward a different life.  She wasn't just changing geographic locations (from Moab to Bethlehem); she was leaving behind false gods and pledging devotion to the One True God.  Now, Satan has convinced many Christians they can genuinely love Christ yet continue in their old ways. What a lie!  Ruth knew for a definitive change, there must be a separation from godlessness to godliness.  What folly when we believe we can love Christ and love the world, cling to Him and hang on to sin, pal around with the godless and the godly.  The Body of Christ (the Church) isn’t perfect but Christ has declared His great love for His People (the Church)!  The simple yet hard Truth is: Christians who refuse to be counted among those who faithfully gather to worship, pray, study, fellowship, and encourage one another live contrary to Scripture.  Acts 2:42 tells of New Testament Christians who were devoted to one another through teaching, prayer, fellowship; furthermore, Hebrews 10:25 commands us to assemble together so we can encouragement each other to persevere in our faith.  Oh, the precious Spirit of Love present when Believers gather with devotion to lift the Name of Christ, and when we share the Bread of Christ Himself with one another.  We might ask ourselves, who are my people?  For those born-again (of God’s Spirit), God’s People is His Church.  His desire – Our desire … one and the same!