A made up Heart Vs Mind

A made up Heart vs. a made up Mind?
By: Nathlee Grant

The Book Ruth (Chapter1: 6 -18)

Orpah vs. Ruth

It had never occurred to me before now, I guess it’s because I have never looked elsewhere when reading the book of Ruth except that Ruth married Boaz and gave Naomi a grandson that made her happy again.  Now as I stare at the beginning of the book. Orpah and Ruth jump out right at me. The scripture said they both were leaving Moab with Naomi to go to Israel.

 Vs 6-7 “ She (Naomi) decided to return to Israel with her daughters-in-law, for she had heard that the Lord had blessed his people by giving them good crops again.” I am of the impression that the daughter in laws had no issue  going with Ruth, as a matter of fact I believe their loyalty to her was a driving force, but only Ruth went, why?.

Vs 8-10  “But after they had begun their homeward journey, she changed her mind and said to her two daughters-in-law, “Why don’t you return to your parents’ homes instead of coming with me? And may the Lord reward you for your faithfulness to your husbands and to me. And may he bless you with another happy marriage.” Then she kissed them, and they all broke down and cried. “No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.”

Naomi and her family must have lived an impressive and a good life, one of such to have these women clinging to stay with her and wanting to remain a part of her people. Again the question is, What happen to Orpah?

Vs 11-14   But Naomi replied, “It is better for you to return to your own people. Do I have younger sons who could grow up to be your husbands?  No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to have a husband. And even if that were possible, and I became pregnant tonight, and bore sons  would you wait for them to grow up? No, of course not, my daughters; oh, how I grieve for you that the Lord has punished me in a way that injures you.”And again they cried together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, and returned to her childhood home; but Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi.

I believe Orpah loved Naomi, and truly wanted to be with her, but when she assessed the situations she changed her mind. Could we be in the same situation as Orpah, we thought this is the thing for us and as soon as someone or something give another spin we return to our childhood home/ our old habit / to what we are familiar with. A made up Heart will take you thus far on the journey and no further, but look where a made up Mind can take you.

Vs. 15-18 “See,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; you should do the same.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t make me leave you, for I want to go wherever you go and to live wherever you live; your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God; I want to die where you die and be buried there. May the Lord do terrible things to me if I allow anything but death to separate us.”  And when Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind and could not be persuaded otherwise, she stopped urging her.

With a made up mind you not easily persuaded. A song writer said “I’ve got my mind made up and I won’t turn back” while another states “No power of Hell no scheme of man will ever pluck me from His (Christ) hands. How made up is YOUR mind? Only a made up mind will take you to completion.

As I  look even closer at Naomi, I believe Ruth saw something special or different about Naomi that . Something huge enough to have Ruth stuck with her, wanting her people and her God to be hers.   I want to think that Naomi represented herself, her people and her God well. This realization forces me to look into my life and think on these questions.

1.      How am I representing:

·        Myself

            ·        My Family
            ·        My Community
            ·        My Ministry 
            ·        The Church (The Body of Christ) ?

2.   How am I representing the places and peoples God allow me to be with and among?

Let us pray:

Father we thank you for your words, we thank you oh God, for the wisdom, knowledge and understanding you have bestowed on us. As we look now to you, to know and follow your way, we ask gracious God that you will help to have a one-minded mind. A mind that will stand strong holding on to YOU and never chaffed in the wind (situations and circumstances) and blown away. Help us to look to Christ always, that we will forever walk on WATER. Father for everything you have expected of us, you have given the resources, therefore God we ask that you will show us how to unlock these resources and use them wisely in ways that will bring Glory to your name and us. help us to know who we are and to whom we belong. Help us oh God to value and appreciate all you have given us in name of Jesus Amen!