I have been thinking about the story of Ruth. I usually do during this time of the year. We are in the middle of our count to Pentecost and this book takes place during this period of time. The story is a beautiful story. And, I think you are all aware that this book is traditionally read by the Jews on this Feast. Why? Why do the Jews read Ruth on the Feast of Weeks? A few years ago, I looked into it a bit. I read several articles that try to explain it. They all put it slightly different, so let me try to summarize it for you: 1. The agricultural calendar – the majority of the story takes place during the time of the count to Shavuot – what they call Pentecost. Shavuot means weeks and refers to the 7 weeks that are counted between Passover and Pentecost. 2. Ruth’s courageous decision to voluntarily convert to Judaism; willingly entering into a covenant with God. Again, the connection to this feast is there, as her journey parallels Israel’s journey in receiving the Torah – Law – on Shavuot. 3. Genealogical information - King David, according to post-biblical Jewish tradition, was both born and died on Shavuot. Ruth is David’s great-grandmother. The 4th reason, is not something I would ever have put together, but find interesting, and I have taken pretty much verbatim from an article by Rabbi Shlomo Chein on AskMoses.com… 4. The Numerical Value of Ruth is 606. On Shavuot [at Mt. Sinai] the Jewish people received 606 new commandments in addition to the 7 that were already commanded to Adam and Noah, reaching a total of 613. And, you thought there were only ten! Many Christians also read the Book of Ruth around this time. Some of the reasons are similar to why the Jews read the book, while others may be different. The Book of Ruth is a love story and is likened to the love Christ has for the Church. Boaz is likened to Jesus in several ways, including as our Redeemer. Ruth typifies a Christian. She leaves her former life and homeland to become a part of God’s people. And, there is the tie between the firstfruits of the spring harvest and the firstfruits of the spirit given on this day. There are many lessons that can be learned from this book. So, I thought we should start there today. I think it can help illustrate another lesson we can learn related to the Feast of Pentecost. We are going to begin in Ruth 1/1-5. I want to begin with the background for the rest of the book. Ruth 1:1-5 NKJV Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. (2) The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. We don’t really know a lot about Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion. According to some of the Jewish tradition I read, it is speculated that Elimelech was a wealthy merchant. He was a close kinsman to Boaz, who was a wealthy landowner. And, when Naomi returns to Bethlehem, she seems to be recognized and respected. It is also speculated that Mahlon and Chilion are Joash and Seraph, who are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4/22, who ruled in Moab. I suppose that is where the idea comes from that some believe that Ruth was from Moabite royalty and it was a very big deal for her to give up her potential power and wealth to follow Naomi back to Israel and live in poverty. Here is what we do know. In the book of Ruth, they are called Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion. Names seem to be important. So, let’s look at what their names mean. Elimelech means “God is my King.” I find that an interesting name late in the time of the Judges. Mahlon means “Infirmity or Sick.” And, Chilion means “Pining, finished or completed.” Naomi means “my delight, pleasant, beautiful or amiable.” Let’s continue reading. (3) Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Why he died; the circumstance; we have no idea. It does seem that he died before his children were married. How long they had been in Moab by this time and how old they were, we really don’t know. (4) Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. A couple of things to notice here. First, it seems that they only married these Moabite women after the death of their father. It could be that he did not approve. While it is not expressly forbidden in the Law to marry a Moabite woman, it would have, at the very least, been frowned upon. According to the Targum or Tanakh – the oral paraphrases, explanations, and expansions of Jewish scripture by the Rabbis – from the 1st Century, “they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord” in doing this and therefore many believe this is why they died. Some of the traditions are they died shortly after marrying, which leads us to ask what does the ten years refer to – was it ten years after the death of Elimelech before they married or ten years after they married to the time Mahlon and Chilion died? Does it matter? Maybe not, but it seems that there had to be some time, that Ruth and Orpah spent with Naomi, for them to be willing to leave with her and go back to her country and people. (5) Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband. You might say that Naomi had a rough life. Things hadn’t gone as she had expected. They left their home for the promise of a better life. Yet, in the time she was gone, she lost her husband and her two children. She had lost everything, as she says in verse 21: Ruth 1:21 NKJV I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?" How do we deal with this kind of trial or loss? Dealing with Adversity We all face trials and loss in our lives. And, when we do, there are certain things we all go through. They say there are five common stages for grief: Denial or disbelief, anger or blame, bargaining, depression and acceptance. They are not necessarily linear and any one can recur at different times. I want to tell you the stories of three individuals who faced some severe trials in their lives and what they did when they reached acceptance. I then, want to tell you why I wanted to relate their stories to you today. And, it may not be the reason you think. By the way, the things that I am going to tell you about these three individuals, come from their TED Talks and the speaker profiles for them. Janine Shepherd Aspiring Olympic skier Janine Shepherd was nearly killed when she was hit by a truck during a training bike ride. Paralysed and immobile for six months, she was given a grim picture for recovery. But not only did she teach herself to walk again— she learned to fly. Why you should listen Janine Shepherd is a “walking paraplegic.” Defying her disability, she has become a commercial pilot and aerobatics instructor, motivational speaker, best-selling author, and mother of three. A champion cross-country skier in training for the Calgary Olympics, Janine’s life changed forever when she was hit by a truck during a bicycle ride in the Blue Mountains of Australia. Doctors did not expect her to survive. After six months in hospital—nearly all of it on her back—Janine focused intently on healing both her broken body and crushed morale. A turning point in her recovery came when a small plane flying overhead gave her the most improbable idea. “That’s it!” she exclaimed from her wheelchair. “If I can’t walk, I’ll fly.” Still encased in a full body cast, Janine had to be lifted into an aircraft for her introductory flight lesson. But within a year she had defied the odds and earned her private pilot’s license. Her talent and skill as a pilot earned Janine a commercial pilot license and ultimately, her flying instructor’s rating. Then she decided to learn to fly upside down, and finally, to teach acrobatic flight to other pilots. Janine is an ambassador for Spinal Cure Australia and Red Bull Wings For Life, and is committed to helping find a cure for spinal cord injury in the near future. She was awarded the Order of Australia, the nation’s highest honor. She is a contributor to Deepak Chopra’s workshops, and has been featured on 60 Minutes and This Is Your Life. In the meantime, she seeks to inspire those coping with physical disability and life challenges. Janine is the author of six books, including the newly released memoir Defiant: A Broken Body Is Not a Broken Person. She regularly delivers inspirational keynotes to audiences of thousands in countries around the world. What others say “Unexpected tragedy brings the author face to face with death and the destruction of the only future she ever dreamed of. From there, we join her in a great adventure and an unforgettable spiritual ride that inspires and amazes.” — Harriet Lerner, PhD, author of "The Dance of Anger" “Janine is a brilliant story teller who uses her wit, charm, humor, and impeccable timing to engage the audience. She shares her journey in an expansive, inspiring, and universal way that touches every heart in the room and invites each of us to dream…to reach…to grow beyond our preconceived limits.” — Davidji, Dean of the Chopra Center University (Regarding Janine Shepherd) What Janine Says “The philosopher Lao Tzu once said, ‘When you let go of what you are, you become what you might be.’ I now know that it wasn’t until I let go of who I thought I was, that I was able to create a completely new life. It wasn’t until I let go of the life I thought I should have, that I was able to embrace the life that was waiting for me. I now know that my real strength never came from my body. And, although my physical capabilities have changed dramatically, who I am is unchanged. The pilot light inside of me was still a light. Just as it is in each one of us. I know I’m not my body. And, I also know, you’re not yours. And, it no longer matters what you are, where you come from, or what you do for a living. All that matters is that we continue to flame the fan of humanity by living our lives by living the ultimate creative expression of who we really are. Because we are all connected. By millions and millions of straws. And, it’s time to join them up and to hang on. And, if we are to move toward our collective bliss, it’s time to shed our focus on the physical and, instead, embrace the virtues of the heart.” Janine Shepherd Amy Purdy Amy Purdy became a professional snowboarder despite losing both her legs to meningitis. She encourages us to take control of our lives, and our limits. Why you should listen After bacterial meningitis took her legs, Amy Purdy struggled with depression, and only beat it when she learned to accept her new reality, but not any limitations. After being unable to find prosthetics that would allow her to snowboard, she built her own. Today, she is a world champion female adaptive snowboarder. In 2005, she co-founded Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit dedicated to introducing people with physical challenges to action sports. What Amy Says “In order to move forward, I had to let go of the old Amy. And, learn to embrace the new Amy.” Amy Purdy “Our borders and our obstacles can only do two things: One, stop us in our tracks. Or, two, force us to get creative.” Amy Purdy Eleven years ago, when I lost my legs, I had no idea what to expect. But, if you ask me today if I would ever want to change my situation, I would have to say, ‘No!’ Because my legs haven’t disabled me; if anything, they have enabled me. They have forced me to rely on my imagination; and to believe in the possibilities. And, that’s why I believe that our imaginations can be used as tools for breaking through borders. Because in our minds we can do anything; and we can be anything; it’s believing in those dreams and facing our fears head on that allows us to live our lives beyond our limits.” Amy Purdy “Maybe, instead of looking at our challenges and our limitations as something negative or bad, we can begin to look at them as blessings; magnificent gifts that can be used to ignite our imaginations and help us go further than we ever knew we could go. It is not about breaking down borders, it’s about pushing off of them and seeing amazing places they might bring us.” Amy Purdy Phil Hansen Taking a cue from his own artistic journey, Phil Hansen challenges us to spark our creativity by thinking inside the box. Why you should listen As an art student, Phil Hansen’s intense style of pointillism led to a tremor in his hand and a diagnosis of nerve damage. Devastated, he dropped out and lost his way ... until a neurologist suggested he “embrace the shake.” That piece of advice tweaked Hansen’s point of view and sent him on a quest to invent different approaches to making art by embracing personal and universal limitations. Hansen challenged himself to create art using unconventional materials (dandelion puffs, matches, live worms, hamburger grease) and canvases (a stack of Starbucks cups, his torso, bananas). The resulting time-lapse videos of his creative processes are his meta-art, showing that art is action, not just results. Through an integrated view of what sparks creativity, Hansen has devoted himself to teaching others the approaches to creativity that have changed both his outlook and his artistic endeavors. You can read more in his 2012 book, Tattoo a Banana. In 2013 Hansen started a new project, inviting people to share their stories of overcoming limitations with him. Anyone who called him and told him their story became a part his work, Refraction. What others say “He works so far out-of-the-box that there is not even a box!” — Tony Sims, Geekdad on Wired.com, 7.25.12 What Phil Says “We need to be first limited before we can become limitless.” Phil Hansen “Embracing a limitation can drive creativity.” Phil Hansen Why tell Their Stories? So, why did I want to relate their stories today? Was it to inspire you? Well, before I answer that, I want to read what Stella Young, a comedian and journalist, who just happened to be born with brittle bone disease and lived her life in a wheelchair, said in her Ted Talk titled, I am not your inspiration, thank you very much. This is what she said: “For lots of us, disabled people are not our teachers or our doctors or our manicurists. We're not real people. We are there to inspire. And in fact, I am sitting on this stage looking like I do in this wheelchair, and you are probably kind of expecting me to inspire you. Right? (Laughter) Yeah. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you dramatically. I am not here to inspire you. I am here to tell you that we have been lied to about disability. Yeah, we've been sold the lie that disability is a Bad Thing, capital B, capital T. It's a bad thing, and to live with a disability makes you exceptional. It's not a bad thing, and it doesn't make you exceptional.” So, no, I am not trying to use their stories to inspire you – at least not in the traditional sense. I don’t want you to look at them and say, “Wow, I am so blest! Others have it so much more difficult than I do.” I don’t want their stories to inspire you to say, “If they can do that, after what they experienced, I can do…” whatever it is that you want to do. But, I do want you to be inspired. The fact that they faced adversity and the result of that is not exceptional. We all face adversity. But, what do we do about it? Did they make the best of a bad situation? Maybe. But, that is not the point. The point today is that they accepted whatever limitation they had and found their own inspiration in it. Janine accepted that she would never walk again, so she decided she was going to fly. Amy accepted that she lost her legs due to meningitis, but decided that she would not let that limit what she could do in life. Phil accepted that his hand would never stop shaking, but realized that embracing the limitation could drive creativity. So, what is your limitation? What is different for us? So, what is your limitation? As you think about that, I want to read a portion of a letter that Mr. Kubik sent out a few years ago, just before Pentecost. Dear brethren, As we prepare for the Feast of Pentecost this Sunday I am moved to write a short note to all our congregations to ask your prayers for God’s healing, His grace and His comfort upon many in our midst who are suffering and are dealing with the impact of unexpected, fiery trials. Earlier this week Mark Rorem, an elder in the Oakland, California, congregation, died from lung disease. Don Pirwitz, our pastor in Springfield, Missouri, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Lucretia Kellers is being cared for in her home. Two weeks ago Brandon Bornga, a member in the Greensboro, North Carolina, congregation, was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was successfully removed. Then, tragically, just yesterday in Tampa, Florida, 17-year-old Jordan Gennaro suffered severe brain trauma from a vehicle accident and is in extremely critical condition. Emily Gerhardt in Australia is one example of a member working through extensive recovery from an accident in which she lost her leg all the way to her hip. Kathy Botha in South Africa is recovering from a lung transplant. We remember these and All who suffer. We “have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). Our prayers are with these members and their families as well as many others who are dealing with grievous trials and grief. As we prepare to come before God during this Pentecost weekend, let us collectively pray for His grace, comfort and healing. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). I submit to you, that our limitation is our humanity – our physical bodies and carnal minds. Not necessarily in that order. Please turn to Romans 8. Romans 8:5-9 NKJV For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. When confronted with this, how do we react? If we just accept the situation and give in, it is all over. It will ruin our lives. But, if we have or when we do, not just accept that situation, but decide to do something about it, we can go from Limited to Limitless. That is what Pentecost is all about. Acts 2. Acts 2:1-39 NKJV When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (5) And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. (6) And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. (12) So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" (13) Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine." (14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. This is the man, who just over 7 weeks before, had denied even knowing Jesus Christ. Now, he stands before the Jews, unafraid, and preaches a very strong sermon. (15) For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. (16) But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) 'AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAYS GOD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS. (22) "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (23) Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; (36) "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (37) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (38) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." That includes us. God has given us an amazing gift. And, this gift, when we fully understand it, embrace it, and use it, will help us to understand that our limits have no power over us. Let’s take a look at a few passages that might help us understand this better. We are going to begin in 2 Corinthians 1. Mr. Kubik quoted verses 3-4 in his letter. We are going to begin in verse 6. 2 Corinthians 1:6-22 NKJV (6) Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (7) And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. (8) For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. (9) Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, (21) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, (22) who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. We learn a bit more about this guarantee in chapter 5. 2 Corinthians 5/1-7. 2 Corinthians 5:1-7 NKJV (1) For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, (3) if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. (4) For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. (5) Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (6) So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. (7) For we walk by faith, not by sight. It is the difference of living by the spirit rather than in our natural carnal state. We walk in the spirit – by faith – not in the flesh – by sight. Let’s take a look at one more passage. This time in Ephesians 1. Ephesians 1:3, 13-14 NKJV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (13) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) [which] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. I want to go back to the letter from Mr. Kubik again. He continues: The Feast of Pentecost teaches us that we are among the firstfruits of God. This is a very special group in His great plan of salvation for all mankind. The apostle Paul wrote these encouraging words of faith to help us understand the purpose of our trials: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:18-25). We are the firstfruits of God and the Lamb. Those who endure to the end will have their faith tested and tried in every conceivable manner. God promises to make us sons in His image and co-heirs with Christ in eternity. It is an awesome, mind-bending reality that has been promised to us. Let us take heart and find courage in these words, and let us remember and strengthen each other in prayer. In Christ's service, Victor Kubik Conclusion We began, this afternoon, with the story of Ruth. I want to go back to that. We had read the first five verses of the first chapter. That gave us an overview. During the time of the Judges, when there was a famine in Israel, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons left their home in Bethlehem and went to Moab. Elimelech died there. Naomi’s sons married Moabite women. And, then, they died, too. With nothing left for her there, and hearing that things were better in the Land of Israel, Naomi decides to go home. And, Ruth insists on joining her. Let’s pick up the story in Ruth 1/19. Ruth 1:19-22 NKJV Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" (20) But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. (21) I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?" Remember, Naomi means “my delight, pleasant, beautiful or amiable.” Here we see that she acknowledges her situation. She may still have been grieving over the loss of her sons. We don’t know the exact timing of things. What we do know, is that she is always referred to as Naomi through the rest of the story. And, we see that neither Naomi, nor Ruth, wallow in their depression. (22) So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. According to the Targum, they arrived at the time the wave sheaf was offered. It appears that almost immediately, Ruth went out, with Naomi’s blessing to do something to improve their situation. You know the rest of the story. You might want to read it again before Pentecost. There is a lot we can learn from it. In whatever situation we find ourselves, we need to find a way to not be defined or constrained by our limitations. We have been so incredibly blessed by God. He has given us a down-payment on our future limitless existence. Start living it now! In the next two weeks, as we come to the day we celebrate, God pouring out His spirit on us, think about what you CAN do. How are you going to use God’s spirit to become the person God knows you to be?