How many times have we decided things because of our circumstances or needs and not because of God’s will? One of the great lessons I have learned in my relationship with the Holy Spirit is to trust God. I admit that before I surrendered my life to God, my life was full of fears and insecurities. Instead of seeing the glass as half full, I saw it as half empty. I used to make a mental movie full of every catastrophic outcome whenever I faced a problem. I did not see beyond my worries. This negativity prevented me from seeing my blessings. I was always concentrating on what I lacked instead of what I had. I used to base my decisions on what I wanted and not on what God wanted for my life. This constant desire to have control of everything instead of surrendering to God led me to make many mistakes.
Naomi committed the same mistake of not trusting God; she disobeyed Him. At the beginning of the book of Ruth, we see how Elimelech and Naomi were at the crossroads of making a difficult decision, stay in the land that God chose, a barren land, or perhaps flee to the land that God told them was forbidden, Moab. By reading the chapter, we know that Elimelech chose the second option. They ran away from their problem and disregarded God's will. Running away is a great temptation when we face difficult situations. Elimelech and Naomi knew that they were disobeying God, but they still did it, and together with their two sons, they moved from Bethlehem to Moab in search of provision. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died. Naomi was left alone with her two children, and even when it was forbidden to marry Moabite women by Moses's law, they married Moabite women. Mahlon married Ruth and Quelion took Orpah as his wife. After ten years, Naomi's two sons also died. Naomi had disobeyed God, and her disobedience had brought her dire consequences. Everything Naomi experienced in Moab made her a different woman from the one who had left Bethlehem with her family in search of provision. She returned without a husband and children and was full of bitterness.
We also make decisions that take us away from the purpose and blessing of God for our lives. We are so busy and blinded by our needs that we do not see the godsends before our eyes, and we look for our sustenance in places far away from God. Sometimes we act like Naomi, who, searching for provision, moved away from Bethlehem, which means the house of bread. In a few words, she moved away from the House of Provision. But, still, God, in his infinite grace and mercy, made provision for her to return. God does the same with us, prepares the way back for us, and awaits us with open arms.
Sometimes we want to impose our desire and pass it off as God's direction. We are so determined to get what we want that we discard everything contrary to what we want to hear from God. We immerse into an auto-sufficiency that does not allow us to surrender His will. And worst of all, if we fail, we still dare to blame God for our actions. God gave us free will, and He honors His Word, so He will not impose His will on you. He is a gentleman that lets you make your own decisions, however wise or crazy they may seem. But even when we make decisions away from Him, He is merciful and is always willing to meet you on the road and show you a safe way to return home.
If you are in the process of making destiny decisions, take time to seek direction and do not go to God with your decision already made, only to comply. Go neutral, ready to receive an answer, a confirmation. And be willing to obey even if the direction or response you receive does not turn out to be what you expect to hear. Trust Him, and He will do. Have faith that if he sends you, he will back you up.
Ruth is an example of determination and firmness. Even when Naomi's insistence continued, she did not back down. Many times, we have to decide to obey God above all else or everyone. We have to stand firm on what we know pleases God. We need to decide if we obey God or do whatever we want. Ruth was faithful. She obeyed God, and He rewarded her sacrifice by blessing her abundantly. Ruth was an instrument of God to bless her people. Boaz noticing Ruth and marrying her redeemed them both and gave them a family. Obed was born from this union. Obed was the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David. “And the neighbors gave her a name, saying: A son has been born to Naomi; and they called him Obed. This is the father of Jesse, the father of David." (Ruth 4:17).
God will honor your trust in Him even if you do not understand His purpose. He will give you His peace and the conviction that as crazy as His direction may seem, He will be every step of the way, giving you his support, encouragement, help, protection, refuge, strength, and provision. He will guide you so that you can enjoy a destiny of Glory. Surrendering to God's will is no easy task, but you can do it too! Do your part and start changing your view of things. I invite you to make the following prayer: God, help us not to be disturbed, worried, or burdened by any problem. Instead, let us trust you in all things. Lord, I know you are bigger than any problem or circumstance, and you do not lie. I know that if you promised something for my life, you would fulfill it. I surrender my life to you and give you all my cares. I need your peace and guidance in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
Today activate your faith, look for him more and fill yourself with his presence. You will see a positive change in your life. When you learn to trust God and surrender to His will, you will no longer see things the same way. You will not make decisions without praying to God. You will let Him guide you, and you will accept His will.
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