Last month, I wrote about seasons of transplanting in which God moves in the lives of His children to reestablish, heal, grow, and use them for His glory. I would like to continue to share my thoughts and experiences of this process through the lens of another Old Testament story. As I have continued to walk through my own season of transplanting, I am reminded of one of my favorite stories in scripture, the story of Naomi and Ruth. Although familiar to me, I have been challenged to view the characters and events through a new perspective.
The book of Ruth begins with an Israelite family living in the land of Moab. This family included Naomi and Elimelech, their sons, Mahlon and Chilion, and their wives, Orpah and Ruth. In time, Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion die leaving all three women as childless widows. After the passing of Naomi’s family, she decided it was time to return to her hometown of Bethlehem. Upon leaving Moab, Orpah returns to her family and Ruth makes a bold commitment to stay with Naomi and worship the Lord God. (Ruth 1)
Throughout the following chapters, the story continues with the transplanting of Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem. At this point, my attention typically follows Ruth and the beautiful events that take place in her redemption story. However, I have recently been reminded of the importance and personal connections that can be made through Naomi’s story. When Naomi returned home she voiced the reality of her feelings and circumstances through a name change. She asked to be called Mara, the Hebrew word for bitter.
During this season of transplanting, Naomi was bitter because of the way life had treated her. Have you ever walked through a season of bitterness, anger, hurt, pain, grief, or contempt?
I know that there have been times in my life that have left me feeling like Naomi. Life can be hard, and many things do not go according to plan. Circumstances are often uncontrollable and unfair. It can be so easy to get caught up in negativity, injustice, and pain and miss the promises and healing that God is placing before us.
In the book of Ruth, God’s redemption was just as much for the healing of Naomi as it was for Ruth. Even though Naomi walked through a season of unbearable pain and responded to her misfortunes with feelings of bitterness and anger, the Lord renewed her and blessed her with a family again. Ruth’s marriage and baby boy turned Naomi’s mourning to joy. (Ruth 4)
Our moments of bitterness and weakness are a fresh reminder of our humanity and deep need of the healing grace and strength of the Lord. When you and I find ourselves in the midst of a season of Mara, we can be assured that our sweet time of healing and redemption will come.
“Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel!”