In ten seasons, the TV series, “Friends” created lasting memories for a whole generation of young people, 1994-2003. Through syndication and now streaming services, it continues to have a large influence on the culture of friendship in the United States.

“I’ll be there for you,” is the refrain of the “Friends” theme song:

I’ll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I’ll be there for you
(Like I’ve been there before)
I’ll be there for you
(‘Cause you’re there for me too)

Our Bible reading this week is from the Old Testament Book of Ruth, the only book of the Bible named for a woman. It is the story of a foreigner and a widow, Ruth, who follows her mother-in-law back to her homeland. They’ve lost a lot, Ruth and Naomi (the mother-in-law), and their future is uncertain. Naomi tries to convince Ruth to return to her own father’s house, but Ruth is pulled by some unknown force (the Holy Spirit, of course) to take a big chance in her life. She enters a strange land and pledges to follow Naomi’s God for her life:

Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people,
and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die—
there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus and so to me….
Ruth, Chapter 1, parts of verses 16 & 17

Ruth’s devotion and subsequent acceptance into Naomi’s family and homeland is a powerful witness to us all. As a foreigner, she becomes accepted by the community — and will be known as a foremother of Jesus!

In the name of the God we share,
Rev. Bonnie Wilcox
Senior Pastor