Love, Loyalty and Devotion
But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following
after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will
die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything
but death parts you and me.” (Ruth 1:16&17, NKJV)

The book of Ruth is a wonderful story of love, loyalty and devotion. Ruth, the
daughter-in-law of Naomi, commits to leaving her family, friends and homeland to
follow her mother-in-law wherever Naomi would go. Naomi tries with everything
in her power to convince Ruth to stay in her home country with her family. Yet,
Ruth’s love for Naomi was so strong she vowed to never leave her side.
Love, loyalty and devotion. These three qualities are what is missing in many
relationships today. Ruth’s decision to follow her mother-in-law required a
sacrifice on her part. Many relationships fail today because too many of us are not
willing to make the sacrifice to foster love. Too many people are only “fair
whether friends.” When things get tough, the selfish get going.
True friendships and strong relationships are built upon these three attributes. The
question is, can those who know you say that you are a person who exemplifies,
LOVE, LOYALTY AND DEVOTION?