“Hold on to me as we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road.”

These lyrics from Phillip Phillips invite us to reflect on what it means to be home.  Phillips continues singing, “Just know you’re not alone ‘cause I’m gonna make this place your home.”

Phillips’ lyrics are rather vague.  People generally interpret them to mean, “Wherever you are, you will always have a place to go and somebody that loves you.”   Christians sometimes interpret Phillips’ lyrics as words spoken by God to humanity, “Just know you’re not alone ‘cause I’m gonna make this place your home.”

These words are especially powerful considering our text this week (Ruth 1:1-18).  Ruth is a young widow who leaves her home in Moab to journey with her mother-in-law Naomi to the town of Bethlehem in the country of Judea.

Perhaps as they left, Ruth said to Naomi: “Hold on to me as we go, as we roll down this unfamiliar road.”

Perhaps, as she journeyed, she heard God speaking to her:

“Don’t pay no mind to the demons,

They fill you with fear

The trouble—it might drag you down

If you get lost, you can always be found.”

Ruth didn’t know what she would find in Bethlehem.  She was a bit lost.  Yet still, I imagine she heard God speaking, “Just know you’re not alone ’cause I’m gonna make this place your home.”

No matter how lost we are, we never alone and God makes a home with us by dwelling with us and enfolding us in love. My prayer for you this week is that, like Ruth, you too might hear these words of blessing: “Just know you’re not alone ‘cause I’m gonna make this place your home.”

Peace,

Pastor Joy

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