Re-post from Nov. 2017
Most church goers are familiar with the Bible story of Ruth. Ruth is the sister-in-law to Orpah and the daughter-in-law to Naomi. After the loss of her husband and both of her sons, Naomi decides to return to her homeland Bethlehem. And, she admonishes both Orpah and Ruth to do the same and return to their homeland, Moab. The hope is that each could begin a new life surrounded by familiar people, in a familiar place. It took some persuading, but eventually Orpah decides to return home. Ruth, on the other hand, makes a vow to Naomi that, “whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (KJV, Ruth 1:16). Lately, I have been mediating quite a bit on Ruth’s story. And, I wonder, if given the same ultimatum as she, what would I choose? I have to believe that I would follow my conviction (whether it be as Ruth or Orpah). I know some Christians condemn Orpah for not staying with Naomi, but I do not necessarily think her decision is bad. I believe she does what she thinks is best for her.
As for Ruth, I have to imagine that she did not come to her decision to follow Naomi easily. I imagine Ruth grieving the loss of her husband the way any other wife would. I imagine she feels alone, helpless and yes…maybe even depressed. At the time of Naomi’s plea for her to return home, Ruth was out of options. Ironically, she aligns herself with someone in the same situation as she. What was it that compels Ruth to leave familiar territory… to leave a place that most likely would give her comfort, and to venture into the unknown? I can only assume that her purpose is what compels her to take such a drastic risk.
I find myself in a similar situation as Ruth. I am in a place where I can stay where I am (figuratively), or I can move forward not knowing what lies ahead. My common sense and even others (with common sense) might advise against the huge risk I am about to take. But, there is something on the inside of me that is drawing me toward the unknown. That something is called faith. After all, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (KJV, Hebrews 11:1). And, in order to fulfill faith and physically grab hold to something that was once unseen, I have to pursue the thing that I am hoping for. I have to be as brave as Ruth. Ruth answered that internal call and ends up with a fairy tale ending to what began as a life of nightmares.
Maybe you’ve experienced a loss that has put you in a place where you have to make a tough, life changing decision. Maybe you are just ready for a change. If that is you, I want to encourage you not to look at the outward conditions of your life, but rather look within. Where is your purpose compelling you to go? What is your purpose compelling you to do? Who is your purpose crying out to be connected to? Listen to that hopeful internal voice that is pushing you to walk by faith and not be sight. The familiarity of where you are now might seem comfortable. But, if you are like me, you do not want to remain in a comfortable position wondering what is on the other side. Living a life of “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” does not make for healthy mental wellness. Let’s attempt to be as fearless as Ruth. Let’s eliminate fear and take big leaps of faith! And as always, let’s press on together!