Learning from Ruth and Naomi

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful” Colossians 3:15, Berean Study Bible.

There was a divine purpose for Ruth following Naomi to Bethlehem. Without her insistence to go with her, she would not have met Boaz. Without meeting Boaz, she would not have given birth to Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David, who was in the lineage of Jesus, the Savior of the world. When faced with the decision to return to her home country or stay, Orpah, the other sister, wept, kissed Naomi’s cheek, and headed home. But not Ruth. She felt compassion for Naomi, and sensing the need to stay, she expressed her heart with, “Don’t try to convince me to leave you. Death is the only thing that could stop me from following you. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you live, I will live. Where you die, I will die, and that’s the bottom line, lady!”

The Bible says when Naomi couldn’t convince Ruth to stay behind, she stopped speaking with her. We’re talking 1,813 miles, 66 hours, and 21 minutes. That’s almost a three-day journey in radio silence! Naomi didn’t speak a word to Ruth. Why? She had lost her husband and her two sons and was returning home empty and hurt. When she did open her mouth to speak, it was when they arrived at the entrance of town. I imagine everyone looking at her, wondering where her husband and sons were. They asked, is that you, Naomi? She opened her mouth, after days of painful silence saying, don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, for the Lord has dealt very bitterly with me.

Ruth felt the call to stay with Naomi, not knowing she was part of a much larger plan of God. There was a grace to stay with the grieving and bitter woman. The famine in Bethlehem Judah was over, and I could see Ruth’s face light up as they arrived. Hey Naomi, look at that house! Doesn’t it look beautiful?! Naomi, thinking, yeah yeah, it’s just a house. Then a groan and sigh indicating I’m not in the mood. But in all of this, Orpah left, and Ruth stayed because her presence in Naomi’s life was necessary to God’s purpose and plan.

My sister, sometimes God will instruct you to stay in an uncomfortable situation because He’s working on something much bigger than you. If you sense His greater purpose at work, be obedient to the Lord and stay. There will be more than enough grace to help you. However, never feel as though you have to stay in a situation God has told you is not His will. Following peace will keep you in the wisdom and safety of God. Seek God until you know for sure. Maybe you’re Ruth in this situation, but if not, be like Orpah. Weep, kiss their cheek, and return home.

Prayer: Father, I ask for your wisdom in knowing when to stay and when to leave. I pray your will rule my heart and for the direction of your Holy Spirit. Help me obey what you want me to do. Help me cooperate with your purpose and plan that is much bigger than me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Ruth 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9)