Empty or Full?
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” Ruth 1:20, 21 NLT
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do we experience more losses when we’ve done the right thing? These questions have confounded the minds of humans since the beginning of time and they are the most difficult to answer.
For example, why would a young man go into a church in South Carolina killing nine innocent people? Why would both young and old suffer from the Boston Marathon bombing? Why do children die from starvation? Why does someone suffer abuse from a spouse or a child get molested? Why do people die in the prime of life?
The list is endless. Random acts of violence, ridiculous lawsuits, abuse, unemployment, marital affairs, assumptions and false accusations are all part of a world that is full of evil. It’s hard to comprehend why a loving God would allow such horrific things to take place in this world, but we have to also remember that He warned Adam and Eve of the pain that would be a result of sin. Throughout history mankind has tasted the agony of sin, and many times the innocent suffer the greatest harm (i.e. The Holocaust).
So, how do I react in the face of injustice or tragedy? I believe the story of Ruth in the Bible shows us a beautiful example of a woman who married a man, became a widow, and decided to be loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth knew that it would be much easier to go back to her parents’ house and find another husband in her hometown, but she saw the agony of her mother-in-law’s broken heart and decided to become Naomi’s support system. Through difficult times of trying to find food to eat and a place to stay in Naomi’s homeland, Ruth humbles herself and works in a field picking up the scraps of grain that are left behind. She does not complain, but keeps her head down working as hard as she can to help Naomi. God sees Ruth’s humility and character, and brings a man to her that will become her “kinsman redeemer” and save she and Naomi from starvation and destitution.
I see so many unjust circumstances in the story of Ruth and Naomi, but I also see women who took their dire situation and turned it around with God’s help. So, how will we choose to see our situation today? Is it half empty and barren, or full of open space that God can fill with miracles and new life?
“But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners” (Romans 4:5 NLT).
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).
