In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife [Naomi] and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab…Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. (Ruth 1:1-5)

Someone once said, “Life is change.” Like passing through a series of rivers, with times of settled life in between. These same rivers of change can see some people rejecting God and hardening up in their relationships with family, friends and neighbours. Yet others, having passed through the same rivers of change, seem to trust and know God even more than they did before. Their love for family, friends and neighbours is strengthened and deepened, not diminished. What about you? What have been the outcomes of the ‘rivers of change’ for you? For your relationship with God? For your relationship with family, friends and neighbours?

Head: Is my life passing through a time of change, or is this a settled time of life?

Heart: How has change impacted my heart? Am I more centred on God? Or have I hardened my heart to God and others?

Hands: What can I do today to keep myself centred on God and point others to him?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I look back and forward to the changes of my life, I ask that I would be more centred on you and not hardened to you and others by these experiences. I ask that whatever life changes are ahead, that you will enable me to not become bitter, but to trust and know you more than I did before. I ask the same for my brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

A song to listen to: The Glory of the Cross

Phil Strong