Focal passage: Ruth 1:8-17
The idea of “all-in” has become a common theme among sports teams. Yet, it is not a new idea.
When I think of an all-in commitment, I cannot help but think of a dear friend named Dr. Best. He has been a faithful minister of the gospel for well over 50 years. He had an all-in commitment to his wife, who in her later years had Alzheimer’s disease.
Even in retirement, he was filling in at churches every Sunday. But when his wife’s health declined, he had to reduce his preaching schedule to care for her.
He has what we might call “all-in” in his commitment to his wife.
We see a similar narrative in the story of Ruth. Ruth’s husband had passed away, and she found herself in a foreign land with her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Naomi told her to depart and go back home. But Ruth stayed. Her commitment to Naomi, and to Naomi’s God, was clear.
As many of you know, commitments sometimes go through hard times. Ruth and Naomi had no husbands to provide for them. Yet, even as their futures lacked security and certainty, Ruth clung to Naomi. All-in commitment is demonstrated by our actions. Ruth told Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge … Where you die I will die.” Ruth demonstrated that she was all-in until death separated them.
Dr. Best stayed at his wife’s side day-by-day caring for her. They made a commitment to love each other in sickness and in health. Dr. Best had an all-in mindset because he knew his love for her was a display of his love for Christ.