"Do you love me?" I sheepishly asked Chris. "I mean, are you really sure?" I am thankful for a husband that does not chafe at my insecurities but delights in reassuring me of his love. In his kindness, he often uses many words to describe his affection for me. Tell me I am not alone. When you survey the words and deeds of your day, do you go to bed wondering if your family or your God could really love you? In reality, there should be no fear in love. And when you and I are loved by God, then "perfect love casts out fear" (I John 4:18).

Ruth is a story about hesed. Hesed is one big Hebrew word that encompasses many words about God's Covenantal love and character. It is a beautiful gem with many facets that hug you at every turn. It is God's steadfast, merciful, gracious, kind, good, and loving character. It is what Moses saw manifested from a cleft in a rock as he asked to see God's glory. Hesed love changes people. This encounter changed him and radiated out over all his stiff-necked followers. The hesed displays challenge me as we will see this week in the lives of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. It is the place where love and loyalty kiss. 

Hesed has been defined as faithful love in action. This kind of love is not based on emotions or feelings. It has nothing to do with others' performance or reciprocation. The focus of this love is not about my fulfillment but instead it is on meeting the needs of others. Hesed will require humility and sacrifice. It will require you to die to live and die to love. It is a countercultural kind of love that will not make it into a Hollywood movie. I still remember the moment I was reading A Loving Life, and Paul Miller defined it as "love without an exit strategy." In my fear of being unloved, I realized I was always looking for a love loophole that I might fall through based on my works or merit. It is challenging to conceive of giving or receiving this kind of love. The fact is it is impossible in our own strength. Our hope is found in that there was not an exit strategy at the cross. Jesus embodied unconditional love as He took on our sins and died in our place. Is there someone who seems unlovable in your life? Maybe you see that person when you look in the mirror. So, how do we love those around us today? "We love because He first loved us" (I John 4:19).
You are loved...