Author: Vanessa Moonkie

Happy Tuesday, Yielded People !

Do you know who the lady in the blue shawl is? That’s Orpah, the woman who chose to return home. She decided to follow her own path. We often focus on Ruth, commending her for following Naomi, but here’s the truth: Orpah had no destiny in Bethlehem. She wasn’t wrong for going back. Sometimes, we feel guilty for leaving certain places or people behind, but the reality is this, some journeys are meant to end right there.

Orpah turned and went back home. I want to speak directly to those who are still in places that no longer serve them, you can go back home. If that relationship means being beaten daily, rather than staying until it costs you your life, go home. If you’re in an “Egypt” where Pharaoh enslaves you, leave.

Too often we stay because of sentiment, emotion, or misplaced loyalty. But the real question is: what’s left for you there? There was no Boaz waiting for Orpah in Bethlehem. Her journey with Naomi and Ruth ended right there and that was okay. Some relationships, some seasons, will bring you to a crossroad where your best and wisest choice will be to turn and walk away. It’s not the absence of love. It’s the call of destiny.

I remember many relationships I had to walk away from. They had served their purpose. I’ve scrolled through my phone before, blocked, deleted. Some bridges were burned because there was no need to cross them again. We may have been destined to be friends for five years, for a reason. But when that reason is fulfilled, it’s time to part ways. These are called seasonal relationships. It’s not wrong to separate from people, as long as the Lord has made it clear there’s no future with them. I saw a post yesterday that said, “Sometimes that heartbreak is God’s blessing of love to you.” Do you know how many people are still dragging along those they should have released five years ago? All in the name of, “We went to school together.”

Was it painful for them to part ways? Yes. Did she probably want to stay? Yes. She wept bitterly. She loved her mother-in-law. But love is not the reason to stay, purpose is. Destiny is. It’s painful to leave. To live separate lives. To adjust to life without them, no question about that. But we learn here that the length of a friendship doesn’t automatically make it right for you. We often talk about separating from toxic people, but what do you do when God says to separate from good people? People who did nothing wrong. Nobody abused Orpah. They loved each other, but the time was up.

“Lord, but they didn’t do anything wrong.”

And God says, “Yes… but in Bethlehem I only see Ruth and Naomi.”

“Lord but l love him/her!”

“Yes… but in the future, I don’t see you together.”

“Lord, but he’s a good man… she’s a good woman.”

And God says, Yes… but you’re not meant to be together.

That hurts because there’s no bad reason to leave. We often look for flaws to justify our separation, but sometimes there are none. And still, God says: This is where it ends. Leave that house. Leave that environment. Leave that person. You don’t argue. You don’t delay. You obey. Orpah, if you tag along, you’ll become a burden. You might even find jealousy creeping in when Boaz marries Ruth. Trust that God knows why seasons end. Forced seasons will frustrate you.

Don’t force things. Don’t force relationships. Don’t go where God hasn’t revealed for you to go. Don’t stay in places where there is no prophecy over your life. Remember, God knows why certain doors shut. Keep your hands off the handle.

The new will come. Believe God.

“The women cried together again. Then Orpah kissed Naomi good-bye, but Ruth held on to her.”

Ruth1:14 ICB

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Happy new week, family. 🌸 Today, I want us to look closely at the life of a woman called Orpah. Her story is found in the book of Ruth.

Although not much is recorded about her, she doesn’t even have a single line of dialogue in scripture she is still a woman worthy of being spoken about. I believe her life serves as a quiet yet powerful template we can learn from, and some of us may even see ourselves in her story. You might be wondering: What could we possibly learn from someone who barely appears in the biblical narrative? The answer is this, we will learn from the little that is written. We meet Orpah in Ruth chapter 1, where we discover that she was married to one of Naomi’s sons, Kilion.

I have no idea how long she was married to Kilion but scripture says they were in Moab for ten years before the death of the males in the family. That must’ve been quite a short marriage.

“These sons married women from Moab. The name of one wife was Orpah. The name of the other wife was Ruth. Naomi and her sons lived in Moab about ten years. Then Mahlon and Kilion also died. So Naomi was left alone without her husband or her two sons.”

‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ICB‬‬

I know some people who got married believing, in their heart of hearts, that they would walk together for the next 50 years. Young couples, full of dreams yet tragedy struck. Prophetess Anna is another example. You can meet the love of your life, make plans to have children in five years, build your home together, and then right in the early years of bliss, one passes away.

How do you rise from those ashes of grief?Orpah had no children. Perhaps she sometimes regretted not having them sooner. The truth is, no one can ever prepare for loss. You can’t say, “I’m ready to lose this person.” The pain is always fresh, always different. You can’t even say, “I’ve lost people before, so I’m used to it.” No one ever gets used to the pain of burying a loved one.

Some years ago, my mom told me, “The pain of losing a husband is like losing yourself, because you have known this person as a part of you so deeply that you’ve never learned how to live life without them in it.” I imagine Orpah must have thought, “My husband and I will grow old together.” But she didn’t know his time was short, and that she would have to learn how to live without him.

One of the hardest things about death is that the person no longer exists in any part of the world. They didn’t just travel. They’re not missing. They’re not visiting family. They simply no longer exist in the land of the living. And the reality that you can’t find them anywhere; not in the next room, not across town, not even on the other side of the world but only in pictures, videos, and memories… that’s what cuts the deepest. Orpah didn’t even have a photo or a video to hold on to. It’s like you’ve just told your friends, “Things are looking up,” and now you have to go back and say, “Things have changed.”

People of God, things change.

You don’t have all the time with that friend you’re keeping malice with. The parents you don’t respect or show love to. The siblings you fight with constantly, saying, “I don’t care if they died,” really? You don’t have all the time with those you will outlive, or those who will outlive you. Some people say, “Don’t speak about death, we might die,” but scripture is clear: death is a reality for us all.

Whether you will grieve them, or they will grieve you, the truth is, you don’t have a million years to live. Oh, you need to win the soul of that brother, now. You need to make the decision to follow Christ, now. Some people will not be here next year, whether we like it or not. Some people only have a few months to live. That’s why hospital evangelism is critical. This is not to scare anyone or introduce fear, but to awaken us to reality: you never know when the last time you see someone will be. So make it count.

Be kind.

Be dependable.

Love people.

Serve God.

And remember there’s only one of that person. You don’t want to lose them without having loved them well.

Above all, remember this: grief is not meant to last forever. God heals.

May He heal every broken heart and comfort every soul that has lost a loved one. We see it in scripture, and we see it in our own lives, God is faithful to comfort, heal, and restore our hearts. And maybe you didn’t lose someone to death, but they left your life in another way. Even that pain ; the grief of someone still alive, God can heal. God will heal. See you tomorrow for Part 2.

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Sit still, my daughter, until you find out how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” 

Ruth 3:18

One of the most common struggles today is the woman in waiting, waiting while the man takes forever to commit, often due to one issue or another. I love how Naomi advises Ruth in such a season: Be still. Be patient. Yes, I know, you’ve done your part. You’ve worked on your character. You’ve prayed. You’ve positioned yourself. You’ve aligned your life not only for marriage but for every opportunity God may bring your way.

Now, sit still. Now, let God do the rest. Let the Holy Spirit move and do what only He can do. There’s only so much you can do. You are responsible for obedience, but the outcome, that’s in God’s hands. There were times I knew I had done my part, prayed, obeyed, aligned myself and yet, it frustrated me to still have to wait.

I imagine Ruth may have thought, “Surely Boaz will follow me home and take action right away.” But Naomi speaks with wisdom: “Wait, my daughter. He will not rest until he has settled the matter, today.” Maybe not in your timing, but in God’s timing. It is true , that our readiness doesn’t guarantee immediate results. Just because you’re prepared doesn’t mean the door opens instantly. But God is always working behind the scenes.

I love how Boaz responded, he took the matter seriously, just as Naomi said he would. And so will God. He is aware. He knows you need that breakthrough. He knows you’re trusting Him for provision, for help, for marriage, for clarity. He sees the weight you carry and the desires in your heart. And like Boaz, He will not rest until the matter is settled.

Do you realize Boaz didn’t just respond to silence or inaction? Ruth took initiative. Now, I’m not saying you should go out and say, “Marry me now, I love you.” No, that’s not the point. But be active. Be intentional. Be prayerful. Be visible. You want to be found, but your page is blank? God must bring someone to… what? A ghost profile?

Let’s be honest people of God, some expectations are just ridiculous. Nobody knows you write because you never post. When I write, I share my links myself. Why? Because people need to know this is what I do. I’m positioning myself for the opportunities I’m praying for. Doors open when there’s something to open them to. This “ghost mode” we love so we seem mysterious, deep, hidden… and then we still expect people to support us? Support what, exactly? Boaz only saw Ruth in the field not hiding in Naomi’s house. So stop hiding. Work your field. Be seen. Be active. Position yourself. Faith is not passive, it moves, prepares, and shows up. Shall we take some prayer points?

• Father help me to move from my Moab, my past, , to move on from a place of hopelessness and trust you with my future…
• I pray for divine alignment. I pray for discernment. May I be found at the right field, at the right time
• If you are single – Lord l pray that my spouse will hear a good report about me
• If you are single – Lord l pray that my spouse will see me, identify me and not waste time.
• If you are married – Lord l ask that you protect my husband and children, may our fields never run dry, may our marriage never fail.
• If you are seeking for the fruit of the womb – Lord the same way you gave Ruth a son, give me my own son
• If you are divorced or widowed – The God of Ruth who restores completely, restore my life.
• Lastly, Lord l pray for the ability to discern the right relationships and to nurture them well.
  
  I want you to show up tomorrow for reflection Friday. There are some questions we need to answer to help us as we continue to live in purpose. If you have a prayer request, drop it in the comment section, let someone agree with you.
  By the way, congratulations on your wedding! 💃❤️
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