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Thoughts for a Woman's Heart |
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encouragement in things that matter |
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At the Crossroads
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Ruth and Orpah stood at the crossroads. The choice was theirs. Their husbands were dead, and their companion was an embittered woman whose dark world of heaped up tragedies enshrouded her. They had begun their journey away from their homeland to the people known by their companion. Behind them lay a familiar world of their own traditions, and comfortable predictability. Ahead was the unknown. Their companion had been guiding them, but now she stopped. She wanted them to go back. She sought to convince them with her words. Orpah hesitated, but then she chose, and she turned back to the familiar. Ruth’s determination though could not be swayed, and she too chose, and she stayed with her companion, and went forward into the unknown.
Ruth’s choice embraced her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was her companion, and her choice embraced Naomi’s people. More importantly, her choice embraced Naomi’s God. Ruth’s thoughts of herself were secondary, if they were considered at all.
Jesus stood at the crossroads again and again during His earthly ministry. He knew and understood the will of His Father. He knew His birth as the God-man would lead to a shameful death that was mocked and scorned by men, and that darkened the presence of His Father. But He chose, and His choice broke the barrier of sin that separated man from his Creator. He could have boasted in His deity, pulled rank on the hired hands who drove the nails into His own, or called in legions of angels who would have shouted victoriously to rescue Him. But not Jesus. He chose.
We stand at our own crossroads when life treats us unfairly, when PMS infringes on our energy and perspective, when comparisons are made with others, when discomfort, embarrassment, or insecurity threatens. Life should be easier. I should be respected. God wants me to be happy. I have my rights. Kids should behave. Friends should give 100%. Bosses should refrain from creating stress for us. Our bodies should age gracefully. Is there a God-response in all of these? Has the will of the Father been placed before us? Do I have a choice? O Daughter of God, choose as Ruth chose. Choose as Jesus chose. Choose the way and the will of the Father. His way is the better way – always.
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— Bev |
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