Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which is a time when we are reminded of our human nature. It’s a time when we come to face our finite existence on this earth and acknowledge the breadth of everything that makes us human.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season which leads us up to Easter. This is intended to be a season of preparation for the Resurrection that is yet to come. Often this is done through fasting and spiritual disciplines that draw us closer to God in an intentional way.

Throughout this season, we will be going through a sermon series called “Lead Up” in which we will continue our journey through the Bible. Each week we will be looking closely at the people who lead the Israelites in difficult times to draw nearer to God, and further reflect on how we too might lead others closer to God in our own lives.

This week we come to a text found in Ruth 1:6-22. This is a time in which a lot of hardship was being faced in Israel, and a woman named Naomi loses everything she has. Her daughter-in-law Ruth makes a bold move to leave everything she knows to care for her mother-in-law. Throughout the story, we witness how KIND Ruth is to put Naomi’s needs over her own desires.

In a season of preparing for Resurrection to happen in our own lives, I believe God might be calling us to see our shared condition among humankind. As we witness unjust war being waged in Ukraine and continued division and hatred among our own country, how might we extend the goodness and kindness of God to the people around us? How might we acknowledge the suffering around us and pledge our support to stand with those in harm’s way?

Ruth is known for her pledge to Naomi in saying, “Where you go, I will go.” In a time that Naomi was suffering from a lot of loss, Ruth rises to the occasion and stands in solidarity and support of her mother-in-law. She acknowledges their shared humanity and vows to trudge through the journey together with her kin.

This week, how might we better live into human-kindness? May we notice the pain and suffering around us and may we extend the goodness and kindness of God in all the ways we possibly can. Might we pledge our solidarity to our human kinfolk and walk through this journey of life together.

I hope you will join us on Sunday at 11am in person or online as we gather for worship and communion. May this be a way we stand in solidarity together and for the world. Let us come together and be nourished by our God. See you Sunday!

Peace and blessings, 

Pastor Kipp