Easter has helped with transitioning us into a new season: spring! Springtime not only refers to a season, but it also speaks of rebirth, renewal, restoration and resurrection.
The farmers start seeding, the grass starts growing and the snow stops falling until much later in the year 鈥� hopefully! With the weather warming up, a number of folks start doing more outdoor activities like, nature walks, gardening or biking. Spring is a welcomed time to reposition ourselves after the cold winter months.
I鈥檓 reminded of the story of Naomi. She had to reposition herself due to very tragic situations showing up in life. Her proverbial dark, cold and winter months left her without her husband and two adult sons within a span of 10 years (Ruth 1: 3-5).
When reading the story, it appears as if her husband and children died suddenly or unexpectedly. Heartbroken and lonely Naomi, decided to relocate to her hometown, Bethlehem. Her daughter-in-law Ruth pledged never to leave Naomi鈥檚 side.The two made their journey to Bethlehem on their own. It was a new beginning for Naomi and perhaps an opportunity for her to start over again and look at life through a fresh pair of eyes.
Interestingly, Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem during the late spring.When they arrived, Naomi was greeted with warmth and well wishes. But her heartache from the past was so deep she could not receive the warm-hearted greetings (Ruth 1: 20-21). But as Ruth鈥檚 love and commitment for Naomi blossomed, the heart of Naomi began to heal. Naomi began to view life in a new way. She had hope and now wanted to see if she could be as much of a blessing to Ruth as Ruth had been to her.
As the story goes, Naomi became very instrumental in helping her daughter-in-law find a very kind and prominent man to marry. He was actually a relative of Naomi and one of the wealthiest men in the town of Bethlehem. His name was Boaz. He and Ruth had a child that would end up 小蓝视频 a great ancestor of Jesus Christ. Naomi treated that child as if he were her very own. His name was Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse would later become the father of King David. Naomi was part of the lineage that would bring forth the Son of God into the world.
Naomi鈥檚 story ended with joy coming back into her life after a series of very tragic events. She got a new life, one that brought her much happiness. Jesus paid the price for us to have a new life 鈥� to be born again. He paid for a new life where we no longer have to be slaves to sin or be bound by our mistakes. He shed His precious blood for us to have a full and abundant life no matter the times and no matter the circumstances.
To partake of this new and full life would you say this prayer with me? Dear Heavenly Father, I repent of my sin. Please forgive me. I believe that Jesus died for me and resurrected on the third day. I declare Jesus Lord over my life. Jesus said that He came into the world so that I could have life, a new life and life to the full. Thank you for giving me this wonderful gift and helping me experience it daily in Jesus鈥� name. Amen.
