This week we have experienced the turning point of the year. Have you sensed it? The days have been growing longer and longer, to the point that it’s disorienting. Even 9pm doesn’t feel late because it’s still so light out.
But now the turning point has come and the pattern reverses. While it still feels a long way off, the days will slowly grow shorter as we make our way toward the winter solstice.
These turning points remind us of how connected we are to the patterns of creation, generations throughout history, and to the faithfulness of God that binds us together across time and space in love.
As the church, we have the privilege of remembering and committing ourselves to be a part of this faithfulness. It keeps us connected, especially at the most important turning points in our lives—births, graduations, weddings, retirements, funerals, and points at which we are called on to make life changing decisions.
The story of Ruth is one that helps us envision what it means to embody this great faithfulness of God, especially in the turning points of life. It is a story of many turning points. In the short book of Ruth the idea of turning, returning, going back, or being brought back is mentioned 15 times. Twelve of them are in the first chapter.
As the story begins, Naomi and her two daughters-in-law are at a turning point of their lives. It is one that raises many questions about God’s faithfulness and what it looks like for them to be a part of it.
This week, as we continue with our Out of Context series, we will think about the context of the words from Ruth 1:16-17. While we most often hear them at weddings, examining their context reminds us that they speak profoundly to what faithfulness looks like in a wide variety of situations far beyond marriage, especially those turning point situations in our lives.
I pray that you have many moments to enjoy the turning point of this year—long summer days, the strawberry moon, fireflies galore, time in the water and the woods… And as you do, I hope you will remember God’s great faithfulness to us, and those like Ruth who helped embody that faithfulness for you.
Blessings,
Pastor Suzanne