Dalton’s atomic theory laments the indivisibility of two different atoms joining to produce magnificence in unseen ways. It is this dichotomous attraction that births the thought of oneness and congruence to fulfil a purpose.
The story of Ruth and Naomi can be likened to such as it speaks heavily about support and unity during the darkest of times.
Support in the form of standing resolute with someone. Support like a faithful marriage vow to be present through thick and thin, richer, or poorer, better, or worse. Not only was this support, but this was also divine backing — a covenant relationship.
“Don’t Push Me Away”
Sometimes, we are unable to recognize these divine alliances because we suffer from the cumulonimbus clouds of hurt, wounds and aches from life experiences.
We see where Naomi had lost her husband and sons in (Ruth chapter 1 verses 1-5). Loneliness, hard life, grief, and famine were upon her. She was left with two daughters-in-law from her two deceased sons’ marriages.
Instead of grieving together as a family, Naomi decides to usher them both off by saying, “…Go, return each to her mother's house: The Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.” (Ruth chapter 1 verse 8).
Have you ever deeply analysed why Naomi wanted to dismiss her daughters-in-law from her presence? Is it that she did not want the responsibility of sustaining their happiness or was she just self-sabotaging?
Many of us shun the support because of festering hurt or damage from abusive relationships or just wanting some time alone to think then resurface as brand new.
However, whichever it is, we have been cultured to not accept help when we are undergoing pressure or distress, so we self-sabotage Godly designed connections.
We strive to be so independent, strong and rise above our challenges, but the truth is we do in fact become weary and heavy-laden by the pressures of life.
Insurmountable possibilities roam the mind proposing tempting ways on how to relief the adversity.
The enemy attacks our mind during hard times by infiltrating seductive routes opposing God’s standards placed on our existence like suicide, running away, murder or trying an illicit drug.
Therefore, whenever you get weighed down by life, Solomon reminds us of the need of support in (Ecclesiastes chapter 4 verse 10 & 12 NLT), “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. …A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Two is better than one
As for Naomi, returning to her homeland might be viewed as seeking asylum to be the host and guest of a lifetime depression party.
However, God had already sent a burden bearer from creation’s inception in the form of Ruth. Ruth who was determined, hardworking, supportive and adamant that “…wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” (Ruth chapter 1 verses 16-17 NLT)
Some of us have gotten our Ruth in a classmate, volunteer bud, church friend, cousin, mentor, childhood friend or even a neighbour. But due to our prior disastrous experiences and our need to maintain a self-sufficient image, we refuse these meaningful connections.
Nevertheless, God wants us to discern our different relationships, identify our Ruth and honour the bond as one that fosters the following:
- Nurture a spiritual bond,
- Show sacrificial love,
- Offer encouragement,
- Offer their friend protection,
- Keep their friend’s pain confidential,
- And harbour no jealousy.
In the words of Janette Ikz, “once (you) meet, like electrons, (you) will be bound to (their) nucleus, completely indivisible atom. (You) will even speak the same math: 1+1+1=3, which really equals 1 if you add Him.”
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs chapter 17 verse 17 KJV). Your Ruth is designed to withstand adversities with you, without discrimination or envy.