Ruth 1:11a, 14, 16-17a
“…Naomi said, ‘Return home, my daughters.  Why would you come with me?’…At this they wept again.  Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her…‘Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God…’”

John 6:66-69
“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  ‘You do not want to leave, too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’”

Zechariah 8:7-8
“This is what the Lord Almighty says:  ‘I will save my people from the countries of the east and west.  I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.’”

Righteous One, following you is a journey to abundant life.

You have chosen us and we long to remain your companions, devoted to your ways and intent on your destination.  Our footsteps are loyal because you are faithful.

Do not let us turn aside when the path becomes lonely and unfamiliar.  Keep us in our true family despite discouragement, so that we discover the rich heritage we have in you.

In the name of Christ we pray, who chose to be obedient even on the road to death, and rose to life to bring us home.

Listen to ‘Come Come Ye Saints’ by the Lower Lights