Hi! My name is Sarah and I’m one of the Care Pastors at The City Church. I get to share with you about Naomi, whose story can be found in the book of Ruth. Naomi went through her share of troubles- had to leave her homeland during a famine to search for food, became a widow, and both her sons died. Yet throughout the struggles, her life inspired others to find God. She did this through her resiliency and authenticity, allowing her very area of pain to become her area of ministry. 

Resilience 

The first thing that jumped out to me was the strength of Naomi. She followed her husband to a strange land where she became not only a widow, but a single mom to her two boys. Those sons married and then both passed away, as well. It says in Ruth 1:6 “then she arose.” How many times have you faced a loss that has knocked you down but you kept getting back up? That was Naomi.

My mom has told me that growing up, I was extremely stubborn. But she has seen how that has been a strength through the storms in my life as I tenaciously cling to God.  

Authenticity

Although deeply rooted in her faith in God, Naomi also was real enough to show her emotions. She wept together with her daughters-in-law (Ruth 1:9).  She also tried to change her name to Mara. While Naomi means pleasant, Mara means bitter. Because of the circumstances she was going through, her emotions took over and she said “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.” ‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1:20‬ 

I’ve done that before...sometimes I give myself a label that God did not give me. But I love how Mara is never again used in the book of Ruth. God consistently calls her Naomi. 

Caring and mentoring the young, widowed Ruth became a new purpose for Naomi whose own tragedy had uniquely prepared her. She understood what it meant to be a young widow because she experienced it first hand. I’ve seen this happen in my own life.  All within the same year, I found out my husband had been unfaithful, I lost my job, went through a divorce, and lost my home. But those struggles have uniquely prepared me to serve others in their place of pain. I have gone through a depression so dark that I thought of taking my own life. I’ve been on food stamps. I felt the sting of rejection. And just like Naomi, my resilience and authenticity have given me a place of ministry through it all. Jesus is the answer. And because I’ve personally come through the darkness, I want to share with others that they can do the same. 

I am confident that God can use YOUR strength and authenticity where you are at to inspire others.  Have you seen this happen already? Tell me about it in the comments below!