“The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing more family loyalty now than ever by not running after a younger man, whether rich or poor. Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are an honorable woman.” — Ruth 3:10-11

Growing up, I spent a great deal of time during the summers at a Christian camp in Wisconsin.

The camp director quickly became one of my heroes.

He loved the Lord. He loved people. This was evident in his passion to see the two come together.

He made no effort to draw attention to himself or prove his was a noble character.

He just sought the Lord and did what he told him to do, and his reputation took care of itself.

Ruth and Boaz were just such people.

Noble and unpretentious.

Neither one was forced to extend themselves for others.

They just did.

No one would have had a second thought if they would have simply done what everyone else would have done particular at this time in the history of Israel.

Everyone was doing what they thought was right in their own eyes, but they chose to do what was right in the Lord’s eyes.

We have a wonderful opportunity today to make a difference.

Everyone we lock eyes with represents a chance to love them in the name of Jesus.

A smile, an encouraging word, a helpful gesture or simply a listening ear.

All are expressions of love.

All speak to a noble character.

When we love, when we put others first, when we daily follow Jesus, we will leave behind a legacy which we will never regret.

One by one

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. — John 8:7-9

Our world reminds us everyday that it is so much easier to write “offensive” people off than it is to take time to understand them and treat them with grace.

I talk with people all the time who are convinced stones will fly if they are honest about their past or current struggles.

I need to find a big empty bag for my office just to let them know I don’t have any stones to throw. I am in no position to be anyone else’s judge.

A woman caught in adultery was dragged before Jesus. She was humiliated, brought in front of the crowd facing the very real possibility of death by rocks.

What would Jesus do? The law said, “Death!” Everyone waited for his response. Did he deny the law? No. Did he excuse the sin? No. Did he throw a stone? No. He directed the accusers to the holiness of God. In his presence, they realized they were in no position to be anyone else’s judge.

People are easy targets. They do stupid stuff all the time.

If we were so inclined, we could unload bags and bags of rocks at people all day long.

Likewise, people could unload rocks at us, too.

Jesus modeled a different plan.

Leave judgement in the hands of God. Meet people with grace and truth. Don’t use others’ failures as a smokescreen to avoid dealing with ours.

As James says, “Mercy triumphs over judgement.”

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.