When the
horrors of war visited the civilians of Nanjing, China, women were not spared
in the mounting violence and many were assaulted and killed. In this
threatening environment, Minnie Vautrin took heroic measures to protect Chinese
women from harm. Serving as a missionary teacher at Ginling College in Nanjing,
Minnie cooperated with Chinese nationals, missionaries, surgeons, and business
people and turned the college into a “safety zone,” a place of refuge for
thousands of women and girls.
In the
Bible, we learn that Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, were in need of some
protection too. To survive as widows, they had to glean what they could from
the harvested fields. As was the custom, Ruth sought a “kinsman redeemer.” This
was a next of kin or close relative to her deceased husband who would marry her
to continue the family line. Boaz was just such a man. He was touched by Ruth’s
sacrificial care for Naomi and her desire to look for refuge in the Lord (Ruth 2:12).
Boaz worked honorably to “redeem” Ruth and to make her his wife. He then
provided for her and Naomi.
Our ultimate refuge is in the Lord Himself (Ps. 46:1). Yet He wants to use us as instruments to provide a “safety zone” for others.
They truly love who show their love. – Shakespeare ( RBC )
