Choices
Hello friends. This past week was a whirl wind for me. It is a feeling that I try to avoid these days. The older I get the more intentional I try to consider the how, the where, and with whom I spend most of my time. While some things are unavoidable, the majority of our week goes to things we choose. Our days, weeks, and months are comprised of a series of our choices. What we choose I believe goes back to how we view ourselves and what our goals are.
I know for myself recently is some of my goals are to be more present and make time for what is most important to me. Rather than allowing my day to happen to me, I prefer to shape my day. How I do that goes back to the choices I make. I know it sounds funny, but even the lack of choosing is a choice.
If we look at the story of Ruth, she was a Moabite woman, married to a man who was an Ephrathite, from Bethlehem in Judah. This man’s family had traveled to Moab during a famine in their land. About ten years after Ruth was married her husband died. Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, was also a widow, as well as Ruth’s sister-in-law, Orpah. Naomi had decided to return home back to Judah, but before she did she encouraged her daughter-in-laws to return to their mother’s house. Orpah after some persuading left, but Ruth chose to stay.
Ruth’s choices to be faithful to her mother-in-law lead to provision for them in Judah. She found favor in the eyes of Boaz and remarried. She gave birth to Obed who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. From this line comes Jesus.
Ruth had no idea the impact that her choice to stay with Naomi would have for the whole world. Friends, I’m here to tell you that your choices matter. Whether you feel like you make a difference or not there is a ripple effect that comes with every choice each of us make.
When we feel like we can’t breathe, a relationship goes south, or a job is lost. Perhaps temptation for something is so great that is consumes you. Perhaps time is flying by, but yet seems to be standing so still. In the silence and the loneliness of those moments what or who do you run to? Dear ones, run to Jesus. In Hebrews 4:15 the author writes, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Sisters, the Lord wants to guide you. He is gentle, loving and gives wisdom to any who ask. Rather than buying another self-help book let’s start opening our Bibles and turning to the one who knows what it feels like to pay the ultimate price, yet did nothing wrong, so that we may live. I guarantee to you, He has all the answers, if we will take the time to listen.
Heavenly Father, we come to you today with a heart that is seeking after you. Lord, we pray for answers to the questions that burn in our souls. Lord help us to see where we need to grow, change and grow closer to you. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. In Jesus name, Amen.