I always used to say I would never leave my apartment. But then my landlord passed away and here I am, sitting and typing this while looking at boxes scattered throughout my home. As I pack, I remember all the memories I made here over the last 12 years. And I realize I’ll make new memories in my new home, too. As one door closes, another door opens.
It was a difficult decision to leave, especially because my landlord’s elderly sister is my neighbor. I care about her deeply. But after I gave my notice, I learned that her daughter will be moving in. That news gives me great comfort and peace about starting this new journey.
COMFORTABLE LIVING
How often in life are we afraid to open the door just because we’re comfortable with our “current door” or situation? I was very conformable in my apartment, but a door opened and I’m faithfully walking through it.
ORPAH NEVER OPENED THE DOOR
This whole process of moving reminds me of Orpah in the Bible and how she kissed her mother-in-law goodbye to go back to her people. We read later in the Bible about Naomi and Ruth, but after Orpah leaves to go back to her people, her story ends.
If you don’t know the story I’m referring to here is a quick recap. Ruth and Orpah’s husbands die. Naomi, their mother-in-law, gives them the choice to go back to their people.
Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:14–16).
Ruth follows her mother-in-law, and the Lord blesses them both Ruth and Orpah. But what happened to Orpah? Was she too scared to open the door God was offering her? We don’t know what happened to her after she decided to go back to her homeland. We could sit and question and ponder these things forever—but all we really have is the information in front of us.
AN UNLOCKED BLESSING
So next time you’re in a situation where you God opens up a door for you, faithfully walk through it. You just might have an unlocked blessing behind that door; just like Ruth and Naomi discovered.
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