Thoughts Along The Journey

It’s a book with which many of us are familiar.  Its storyline points us  to the redemption carried out for us in Christ; our being ‘bought back’ by His work on our behalf just as Naomi and Ruth were by the work of Boaz.

However, ‘behind the scenes’, we can also discern how a deepening appreciation and experience of God’s lovingkindness and steadfast love (‘hesed’ in Hebrew) drives God’s people to become more and more other-centred.

In Ruth chapter 3 (3:10), we read this insightful statement on the part of Boaz in regards to Ruth’s actions: “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter.  You have made this last kindness greater than the first …” In referring to the ‘kindness’ expressed, Boaz uses the same word (‘hesed’) that is applied to the lovingkindness of God.  How was this ‘kindness’ expressed by Ruth?  Simply put, she placed the needs of her mother-in-law ahead of her own. When she went down to the threshing floor that night to meet up with Boaz, she called on him to fulfill his responsibilities as a kinsman redeemer (3:9). In other words, she called on him to provide a future for Naomi, not just for herself.  Boaz immediately understood the import of her request and knew that the one who would be the ‘beneficiary’ first and foremost of his actions would be: Naomi.

Becoming other-centred is not a matter of working harder at considering the needs of others.  Other-centredness is the natural outgrowth of a heart where God’s lovingkindness is sending its roots deeper and deeper.

Other-centredness applies not just to our passion to see others come to know and experience God’s forgiveness and steadfast love. Other-centredness also applies to our relationships with one another as cross cultural workers.

When I notice, or when another helps me to notice, a spiritual dashboard indicator of low other-centredness, then it’s time to ‘add’ more energy to understand and experience His steadfast love displayed to me: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  (Psalm 136:1)

Filed under: Love of God, Other centeredness |