Seasons of Transition
An excerpt from my journal entry on August 27, 2018(edited for the sake of this post)--:
"I’d just prayed to the Lord about everything I thought would have happened by now. Me moved to Michigan, having a place, being miraculously funded at 100%, and even more… And I began to ask the Lord, 'what did I miss' because none of the things I expected to happen by now, actually happened. I’m not 100% funded, I don’t have a place, and I’m not moved to Michigan. I truly saw and witnessed the epitome of Proverbs 16:9 –'The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps'. I actually like the way the New Living Translation puts it: 'We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.' I had experienced exactly what this scripture explained…the Lord has been and is determining my steps, even though I had plans on how things would be going by now. "
"I questioned again, 'Lord, what’d I miss?' I prayed for understanding and wisdom about what the Lord is doing in my life, so that I don’t miss it. I prayed He’d reveal to me what He’s doing so that I can walk in accordance with what He’s doing. Then I went to the Word, remembering that just earlier I had asked the Lord about someone who went through a season of transitioning in the Bible and He reminded me of Ruth who SURELY went through a season of transition."
Here’s what the Lord taught me about seasons of transitioning through Ruth’s story in the Book of Ruth:
Beside the point at which her husband passed, Ruth’s transition began in Ruth 1:16 when she made the decision to remain faithful to Naomi, following her.
Which brings me to my next point, Ruth moved out of faithfulness, commitment, and loyalty to Naomi…and ultimately God (Ruth 1:16).
When transitioning, Ruth remained faithful and obedient by working (gleaning); Ruth took initiative (Ruth 2:2).
Ruth left her home in light of following Naomi and remaining faithful to her mother-in-law (Ruth 2:11)—the Bible doesn’t mention that they left with a place to stay in mind, so they most likely returned to Bethlehem without knowing where they’d be staying.
Ruth had community in her transition (Ruth 2:22-23).
God used Naomi by giving her the wisdom to give wise, godly counsel to Ruth (Ruth 3:2-4) …she wanted to find rest (Ruth 1:9) for Ruth (Ruth 3:1).
Ruth remained faithful and obedient (3:5), even when it didn’t make sense to her. It was not Ruth’s culture to follow Naomi’s advice of going down to the threshing floor and even though it didn't make sense, Ruth followed the instruction given to her.
Ruth was protected by Boaz, her redeemer (Ruth 3:14) and he provided for her (3:17).
Boaz showed Ruth kindness, favor, and care (Ruth 2:8-9, v. 14, v. 15, v. 16, 3:10-11, v. 14, and v. 17).
Things didn’t go the way Orpah or Ruth had expected with both of their husbands passing away but they had a choice, to stay home and go back to their families because things didn’t go the way they’d expected them to (like Orpah eventually decided to do) or remain faithful to Naomi and her God by continuing to move forward. Ruth chose the better. And in her faithfulness, eventually experienced prosperity and blessing; because of her faithfulness she's in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
God is so on our side. We can allow life’s circumstances to push us away from Him or even more closer to Him...Humbling ourselves enough to continue to walk with Him to the other side of things. He is our Helper:
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my Helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6
When will we learn that it is better to run to the Father, rather than away? Apart of serving God is being humble enough to wait on Him. We lay aside our pride to serve Him in this way… Waiting on Him. Saying, Lord, I’m willing to let go of my expectations enough (this is the humbling part) to follow You.
Nevertheless, I choose to continue to run to Him, walking with Him to the other side. Things did not go the way I’d expected. No. But I believe the Lord so much and the call He has on my life and my assignment so much, that I’m continuing to move forward in faithful obedience… as Ruth did. As I write this post, I’ll be moving to Michigan Spetember 10th and do I know where I’m staying at this very moment? No. But I can tell you this, I’m moving. No, my ducks are not all lined up. No, things don’t make sense, but I’ve learned that to walk when things don’t make sense is to be in good company with the Lord, my friend. God promises for all things to work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), not to cause for all things to make sense. So no, I don’t know where I’m stayng at this present moment but what I do know is that I have peace about moving September 10th and I’m going to trust the Lord concerning the details, and walk to the other side. There will be a time...a day where the Lord would have it that I find rest --I'll find a home (Ruth 3:1). I trust Him...the One through all things were made and weren't made without Him (John 1:3).
Will you trust Him, in your own life, with me?
Blessings,
LaGerricca D. Simmons
P.S. I know in the beginning I mentioned that I thought by now I'd miraculously be 100% funded and I know that it's a tad-bit confusing, haha. I started a YouTube channel and posted my first video (which gives a little more context to that statement); check it out here!
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