Choose Who You Lose

When making her move from a bad situation to a better one, the second action step that Naomi took was to release those who did not want to make the journey with her. When you decide to go back to your Bethlehem, some people will want to stay in their Moab, because they think it is a better place for them. The second action step you will have to make if you are going to build a better life for yourself will require you to say good-bye to some people.

Naomi was honest with her two daughter-in-laws, Ruth and Orpah. She told them that she was old and not able to care for them the way she would like. She encouraged them both to remain in Moab and remarry. She knew that in Judah, the men would not be inclined to marry foreign women. That was the tradition. Orpah kissed Naomi good-bye and headed back to Moab. Ruth decided to stay.

The reality is, no matter what direction you move your life in, you will leave behind some people. Some like Ruth, or some like Orpah. You can stay in your Moab, remain in a destitute place and keep your companions, at least for a while (you see, the Ruths in your life, those who really want to follow God, will always move to a better place eventually), or you can make the decision to move on to your Judah, your place of praise and blessing. You get to choose who you are going to lose. Orpah or Ruth? Stay in Moab...go to Judah? Destitution...praise and blessing? Who will you choose? Where will you choose?

Tomorrow, we will look at the lasting legacy of Ruth and Orpah's decision.