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Apr 8, 2021

 

The ending of a chapter, a graduation, and the changing of a season are all things that come with great anticipation and excitement while simultaneously ushering in moments of contemplative reflection and feelings of nostalgia for things that have passed. Sometimes we choose to walk into change and sometimes change is thrust upon us with no choice. Sometimes we go willingly, other times we go kicking and screaming, and when we are fortunate, we ease into it with baby steps, but regardless of the how or why, one thing is consistent; change is inevitable! We all experience change.

 

When God began speaking into my spirit three years ago, I had no way of imagining just how many changes the coming years would bring. Here are just a few of my personal examples from the past two years. I moved on from the school that I had worked at for 12 years, we sold the home we raised our children in for over 20 years, we left the suburb I had lived in since I was a sophomore in high school and headed for the country, not only did I start at a new school, I also started a new position that took me out of the classroom, and now I am in the midst of taking yet another step toward change as I prepare to leave the school district that I have worked for throughout my entire teaching career (14yrs) and head back to the classroom teaching Freshman (high school is a whole new venture). That is a lot, and like I said, that is only a sample sized portion of the changes that have occurred within a two-year span!

 

I am without a doubt a self-reflective, internalizing, contemplative, empath. In fact, I am a blue through and through on the four-color personality test! During recent weeks I have found myself contemplating all the changes and reflecting on things both past and present, while wondering about the future,and as God is always faithful to do, He has led me to find wisdom in His word as I’ve been reading the book of Ruth as well as hearing sermons focused there. Both Ruth and Naomi experienced a great deal of change, and it was the kind of change that is thrust upon you and not so pleasant tasting. The short version, for those who don’t know, is that Naomi had left her homeland to travel with her husband to a new place. In a matter of years, she lost her husband and both of her sons, one of whom was now married to a Moabite woman named Ruth. 

 

Ruth and Naomi found themselves facing life altering changes, and they both had to decide how they were going to walk in that change. Naomi essentially became bitter (with cause) and Ruth decided to devote herself to her mother in law and walk out the change together. Ultimately, God used Ruth and her obedience to him to restore their family through a kinsman redeemer named Boaz. The story is one of inspiration and countless lessons, and it reads like a good novel, so if you have time check it out. For me, the most recent lesson though is that we have choice in how we walk. Regardless of the circumstances of life, regardless of the season that we are in, we have choice. We choose, as the saying goes, whether challenges and changes will make us bitter or better and in so doing we also choose whether we allow ourselves to bask in the blessings and glory of God as He works or whether we miss it because we are too jaded to allow the light in. I also am reminded that, like Ruth, we can be a part of God’s plan for restoration in the lives of others if we choose to walk in ways that are pure, and just, and righteous. Ruth didn’t set out to change the world or become legendary, she simply chose to do what was right by God. She chose to do the work that needed to be done to provide for those she loved and in so doing, she became part of the lineage of Christ. You see, Ruth married Boaz and they had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David, and thus from the line of David came the Messiah. 

 

Remember friends, God is always at work. Whether you recognize that or not determines whether you spend your days with purpose and peace or whether you spend them blinded to the blessing and kept distracted from the true work. At times life is hard, there is no doubt about that, but life is also full of the glory of God. Follow the path he has carved out for you and commit to doing the “good works that God has prepared in advance for you to do, because you are his workmanship created in Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 2:10) and while you may never know the extent of your reach throughout time and generations, you can be assured of this, God does amazing, eternal works through one life surrendered. The bonus for us, we get to revel in the awe of living in the glory and blessing that comes from being a part of God’s work.

 

~ Jen