Tuesday, May 13, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Choose to Move Forward

Ruth 1:8 But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back to your mothers' homes. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me.

Today's verse was spoken to Ruth and Orpah by their mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth and Orpah, natives of Moab, had just lost their husbands of ten years. Neither one of them had children. Therefore, there was nothing tying them to their mother-in-law. So, Naomi urged them to go back to their parents' homes, find new husbands, and get on with life.

Noami was planning to return to Bethlehem, her home. She and her family had relocated to Moab because of a famine in Bethlehem. However, the famine was now over.

The two sisters-in-law had a choice to make concerning the similar trials and circumstance that they faced. They had a choice to move forward OR to return to mom and dad's house.

Orpah decided to go home to her false gods and her old way of life. However, Ruth made a different choice. She chose to move forward with Naomi. She didn't know what was waiting for her in Bethlehem. She was proceeding to unchartered territory.

Nonetheless, she chose to serve God Almighty and to follow Naomi. In doing so, she was incredibly blessed through her marriage to a wonderful man. Ultimately, Jesus Christ would come through their lineage.

I challenge you to realize that even in your darkest hours, you have a choice. You have a choice to move forward (even if the fear of the unknown is scary) OR to go backward. CHOOSE today to move forward and receive ALL that God has for you!

Dear Lord, Give me peace and strength to move forward towards the destiny You have planned for me!

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: In my trials, have I regressed in the familiar OR sought God in moving forward to all that awaits me in Him?