When It's Good to Cling

Ruth 1:1-14

Normally I think the message of scripture challenges us to move ahead in faith, to accept the new thing that God is doing and to be open to signs that the reign of God is at hand. If this is true then we have an interesting situation in our reading from Ruth today. After the death of her husband and both of her sons, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their families of origin for she can do nothing for them. Orpah, though saddened, is willing to go. “Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her” (Ruth 1:14). This should come as no surprise, even the first time we read it. If Ruth had left Naomi and gone home to her Moabite family the book would either not exist or would be called something besides Ruth. But beyond that what does this say to us about faith?

First of all, though she “clings” to Naomi, we should realize that Ruth has chosen a scarier path than the one Orpah has taken. Ruth has no way of knowing how things will work out for her in Judah, how she will be received, what she will do. So even in clinging to what she “knows”, she is really accepting what she doesn’t know. Secondly, Ruth’s actions constitute a profound sense of family and community. When she married Naomi’s son Ruth obviously committed herself to his way of life. Even in his death she is determined to remain a part of his family, which in this case is Naomi. And finally, this understanding of community pushes Ruth to think beyond herself to the needs of Naomi. By remaining with the older woman, Ruth indicates a willingness to care for her and to stand beside her.

Sometimes we cling is to idols, those things that we place between ourselves and God. It may be our history, our way of doing things, our own limited perspectives. Ruth was doing none of that. By holding fast to Naomi she was showing a willingness to go where God would lead her. This is exactly what Abram did when he accepted God’s call to leave his father’s house and follow the Lord’s leading. It was a scary proposition. If we are going to cling to anything let it be the new thing that God is doing in our lives, the direction that God is taking us, the community of faith that surrounds us, all the while looking beyond ourselves to bigger picture. This is when clinging is a good thing to do.

Prayer: Lord, help us to let go of what we don’t need, the clutter of our lives, and to embrace the new thing you are doing. Help us to live in community, showing compassion for others. Amen.