Par Fore...

A few weeks ago, while visiting my parents, we decided to take advantage of one of the perks of their new home. They now live on a golf course.

Naturally, this made us golfers.

There were six of us golfing and two more spectating, so we divided into two groups of three and played scramble style. If you are unfamiliar with a scramble, everyone hits a shot, you look around at the damage, and then you choose the least terrible option and all hit from there.

It is basically golf with grace.

And we needed a lot of grace. The course probably is not quite ready for the PGA Tour, but neither were we. We zigzagged our way through nine holes, visiting parts of the course I am fairly certain the architect never intended golfers to see. Every once in a while, though, someone would hit a great shot. The ball would sail down the fairway, and for approximately four seconds we would begin discussing the possibility of par or, on rare occasions, a birdie, then the next swing would restore a healthy sense of humility.

Even my best swing of the day fell somewhere short of spectacular.

That is why I love playing a scramble. When you hit a terrible shot, you do not have to live with it. Someone else can step up, hit a better one, and redeem what you just did.

And in a much deeper and infinitely more important way, that brings us to the final chapter of Ruth.

Ruth 4:1–12 takes us to the city gate where Boaz sets out to redeem Ruth and Naomi. There is one complication. Another man has a legal right to redeem before Boaz does.

So Boaz gathers the elders, presents the situation publicly, and allows the nearer redeemer to act. At first, the man is interested in the land. But when he discovers that redemption will require responsibility, sacrifice, and taking Ruth as his wife, he steps aside.

Boaz does not. In front of the elders and the people, Boaz commits himself to Ruth and to preserving the family line of Elimelech. What began with Naomi returning to Bethlehem empty is now moving toward restoration, family, inheritance, and hope.

That is redemption.

This Sunday, Jordan Wilbanks will continue our series through Ruth as he teaches from Ruth 4:1–12 and helps us see the value of our redemption through Jesus.

I can't wait to see you on Sunday at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available)…OR a service in Spanish at 1:00 pm.  Otherwise, you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and  Instagram. 

See you Sunday,

Troy