Wow! I don’t know about you, but I thought Chapter Two was chalked full of so much good stuff. I am going to hit some of the highlights. I would love to hear what stuck out to you in this chapter.
The first thing we all need to remember, that in order to be filled – spiritually, we need to return from our wandering, just like Naomi. I love how Liz ties this to the story of the prodigal son. I just love when connections are made between the Old and New Testament, as well as, life today. We each must come to the realization that “we have no life apart from God” (29). I do not know where you are today or where you have been, sweet sister, but I do know that in order to be strong we have to make the choice to leave our own Moab. Just remember that you are never out of God’s reach. He longs for you to return home and be filled.
Once the decision has been made to return home, the road will not be easy – just like the journey Naomi and the girls chose to make. There will be risks involved. However, Naomi knew that it had to be done. In order for each of us to be obedient to God, sometimes there will be risks involved. I love what Liz says regarding this very point, “Though obedience is seldom an easy road, it helps to know the One leading the way” (31). We need to hold tight to Jesus and let Him lead the way. We just need to take those steps of faith in obedience.
Our journey through life, just like Naomi’s, will not be easy. God does not guarantee smooth sailing, but He does promise to never leave us. He will be beside us every step of the way. There are times in our lives that some of us may face trials and struggles that seem to have no end and like Naomi, we don’t think we will break free from the pain. Just remember, “When we are down to almost nothing, God is up to something bigger than we can ever imagine” (39). That quote from Linda Hollies brings me so much comfort. I know that there have been various situations in my life that I didn’t feel like I was good enough, strong enough, worth enough….the list could go on. However, I came to the realization that although I may not be enough, my God is more than enough to see each one of us through life’s trials and storms.
At one point or another in our lives’ we will each come to a crossroads, just like Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. At this time we have a choice to make, similar to these ladies. The roads go in opposite directions. A decision has to be made. Orpah decides to go back to the familiar, the comfortable. If you were in these ladies’ sandals, what choice would you make? More importantly, what choice are you making in your own life? Are you choosing to stick with the familiar and easy, but will lead to malnourishment or are you going to be obedient and return to God and be filled?