A life worth living

On Monday, July 10, of this year a Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft crashed in Mississippi. There were no survivors. Fifteen Marines and one Navy sailor perished. Among those killed was a young man, Talon Leach, 27. Talon left behind a wife. Talon’s grandparents (and parents) have deep roots in Alaska. Talon — an amazing young man — died at a very young age. The Bible says that life is like a vapor (James 1:27). Life is very short. Yet, Talon lived an amazing life. He stands as an example for you and me.

What does it mean to live a life worth living? How can we live lives that count? How can we focus on what is most important in life? The answers are found for us in the Book of Ruth. Ruth lived during the most difficult time in Israel’s history. Politically, it was a time of chaos. There was no king in Israel. Morally, it was a time of great evil. Every person did what was right in his own eyes. Religiously, it was a time of gross idolatry. Shining like a beacon of light is a young woman named Ruth. Ruth demonstrates three great qualities that we must build into our lives.

In some of the most famous verses in the Bible, Ruth spells out these three qualities for us. Ruth said to her mother-in-law Naomi, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).

First, Ruth was a person of commitment. She said, “For where you go, I will go…. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth was between twenty-five and thirty years old when she spoke these words. Naomi was about fifty. Ruth said, “For the next fifteen to twenty years I will care for you and provide for you.” Ruth also agreed to be buried in the land of Israel. Many people come and go from Alaska but some people are committed to Alaska. A person’s burial place often reveals their true home.

We need people of commitment today! Talon was a man of commitment. He joined the Marines to defend our nation. His wife earned her master’s in physical therapy while he served in the military. A great nation is built upon people of commitment.

Many years ago my mentor said to me, “In order to be an effective pastor, you must do two things. You must go somewhere and stay (put down deep roots) and you must teach the Bible.” Commitment is indispensable.

Second, Ruth was a person of courage. She said, “Your people shall be my people.” Ruth, a Moabite, agreed to return to Bethlehem in the land of Israel. Ruth had never visited Bethlehem before. Would Ruth face racial prejudice in Bethlehem? Of course. Courage is never the absence of fear. Courage is despite the fear pressing ahead. Ruth exhibited courage in her decision to emigrate to Israel. Talon was also a person of courage. Commitment and courage are indispensable qualities that must be present in our lives.

Third, most importantly, Ruth was a person of faith. She said, “Your God will be my God.” Ruth left Chemosh, the god of Moab, and turned to the God of Israel. She put her trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She looked forward to the coming Messiah- the Lord Jesus- Who paid for our sins on the cross. When we take one step toward God, God takes two steps toward us. God rewarded Ruth’s faith. He gave her a great grandson named David, Israel’s greatest king. In Matthew 1 she is a Gentile who is part of the family tree of Jesus! Amazing!

Talon was also a man of faith. His best friend in the unit was a man named Gunnery Sergeant Mark Hopkins. According to the Marine Corps Times, Mark was always singing the great hymns of the faith. There is an old saying, “Show me the friends you spend time with and the books you are reading and I will show you your future.” Talon put his faith for salvation in the sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Many of us will see him again!

George Washington said, “When I shall be called upon to follow in death, is known only to the Giver of Life. When the summons comes I shall endeavor to obey it with good grace.” Talon faced his death with dignity and grace. His life was short but it serves as an example for us. Talon was a man of commitment, courage and faith. We must build those qualities into our lives also.

Ethan Hansen is the pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.