Commitment in Adversity
When I made a commitment to marry a preacher,
it was with joy, excitement and the dream of serving
God with all my heart.
Up to that point, I had experienced good health, success,
achievement, praise and gratitude. I had every reason
to expect that a life of ministry would mean more of the
same---plus greater joy and usefulness....
I was not prepared for serious and debilitating illness,
the miscarriage of a baby, the trauma of a financially
troubled church and personal attacks from the
family of faith.
Within one of my husband's sermons, I found a
nugget of hope:
"Our adversities are God's uiversities."
The adversities drove me to God, and God had what
I needed to endure and fulfill the commitment I
had made.
In Ruth 1:16-17 the innocent young widow Ruth
expressed her passionate and devoted love for her old
and bitter Mother-in-law.
It was not Naomi's beauty, wealth or even joyfulness
that drew Ruth to her, for all of these had long since
fallen away.
Rather, it was Naomi's Faith in the Living God,
her Spiritual Wisdom, and her consistant piety that
bound the young pagan widow to her. Ruth made a
Commitment to travel, live and pursue life with
Naomi, to Accept her God and even to die and be
buried in Naomi's homeland.
Her commitment was not just with loving words
and well-meaning feelings, as her sister-in-law
Orpah (Ruth 1:14), but with purposeful love and
devoted deeds.
Commitment must be fueled not merely by head
knowledge but also by heart determination.
Ruth had nothing to offer to Naomi or to God
but herself, and that she gave willingly and
eagerly.
Every woman, whatever her circumstances or position,
has at least that to give the Savior, and it is enough!
Written By: Dorothy Patterson
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