The Essence of Holiness

Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. – Ruth 4:22

The story of Ruth, including her encounter with Boaz, is one of the most heart-warming in all of Scripture. Ruth did everything she could to provide for her mother-in-law. Boaz did everything he could to take care of Ruth. Neither one really expected anything in return, but the blessings for both were great, and God used Boaz and Ruth to preserve the line of ancestors from which our Savior (Jesus) came. Their story reminds me time and again how small kindnesses can turn into huge blessings.

Every day we are individually faced with opportunities to extend compassion and mercy to those around us. Often these opportunities are not convenient or timely, but even a small sacrifice on our part can go a long way toward making another person's day better or just more tolerable.

Living fully within the "present" means that we must be obedient and Christ-like in the "moment." We must strive always to be kind and never complaining. We should talk less, listen more, and love always. This is the essence of holiness.

Holiness is produced in us by the will of God and our acceptance of it. It is not produced by intellectual speculation about it. – Jean Pierre de Caussade