Brave Change: Navigating Uninvited Seasons a 6 -Day Plan by Krista PettifordSample

Be Determined In Your Decision

“When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her." Ruth 1:18

Have you ever wanted to turn back after starting something new?

When Naomi started her journey back to Bethlehem, her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, went with her. However, their future in Bethlehem was not promising. Naomi told them to return to their mothers' houses, where they might find rest with new husbands.

They both refused, but then Naomi told them of their challenges in Bethlehem. Orpah decided to return to her gods, people, and place of familiarity in Moab, where she could find rest and a life of ease. Her decision cost her the future God had planned for her. I imagine she found rest with a new husband, but her story ended when she returned to Moab. We never hear about Orpah again.

Ruth chose to go forward at the divine intersection of change. I believe she experienced God's grace – His divine influence on the heart, and instead of resisting change because of fear, she embraced change. Grace gave her the courage to declare her allegiance to God and Naomi and the determination to go forward despite the challenges.

Ruth left her place of comfort, bravely put her life in God's hands, and followed Him forward. Ruth stood firm on her decision and refused to turn back. It was the more difficult choice with many unknowns, but she knew she was called to go with Naomi to support her in Bethlehem.

When you embark on a new season, people, yourself included, will present you with many reasons to turn back. You will be tempted to stay in the familiar and comfortable place, even when it hinders you from fulfilling your purpose. Knowing your reasons for moving forward will help you stay the course when you want to turn back.

Who is depending on you to move forward? Whose destiny and purpose are connected to yours? Who will be affected if you choose to stay in an expired season?