Lessons From RuthSampel

.A thought came to Naomi one day. She remembered her husband’s kinsman, Boaz, a mighty man of wealth. She told Ruth about him and Ruth insisted that she go down to his field to glean leftover grain in hopes that she would find grace with him. Naomi gave Ruth her blessing. Although it had been some time since they had returned to Bethlehem, still we see their desire to keep moving forward. 

Forward always seems like a long journey in our thoughts. When we begin to put one foot in front of the other, those small strides eventually become large steps toward God’s plan. 

When our hearts are broken, it’s so easy to lay in bed, sinking in our thoughts, not wanting to see the break of day. When we experience our greatest grievances from life and/or loss, it’s easy to park our emotions in the dark tunnel of fear and disappointment. We confuse what is real with what is true. The heartache and pain I was experiencing stripped me of much, including my appetite. 

One day, I cried from my heart and soul asking God to strengthen me so that I could move forward. I was tired of living in my past and the present was fleeting. I needed to keep moving forward. As Psalms 138:3 KJV says, “In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul”. God heard my prayer. He has heard your prayer and has seen your tears. 

Be encouraged in knowing that God STILL has a plan for your life. God’s plans are always ahead, never behind us. We see this in the Apostle Paul’s life as he declared in Philippians 3: 13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul didn’t mean that He no longer remembered his past, but essentially, he was confessing that it no longer would dictate his future. He was not the sum of the things that happened to him, but instead was the fruit that grew in him after his conversion. One of the most significant milestones God will ever require of us is the faith to believe that there is still a plan forward.

When you can’t see a trace of God, you must continue to trust Him. Do what you can and trust that God will do what you can’t. Keep moving forward.