The Journey Home

Life often takes us on unexpected journeys, filled with twists and turns we never anticipated. Sometimes, these paths lead us away from what we once held dear, including our faith. But the beauty of God's love is that no matter how far we wander, He is always eager to welcome us back home.

This truth shines brightly in the story of Naomi and Ruth, two women whose lives were upended by tragedy and loss. Naomi, once full of life and joy, found herself returning to her hometown of Bethlehem empty-handed and bitter. She had lost her husband and both sons during a decade-long stay in Moab, a foreign land. As she approached the familiar gates of Bethlehem, the whispers of recognition rippled through the crowd: "Is this Naomi?"

But Naomi was quick to correct them. "Don't call me Naomi," she said. "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has made my life very bitter." The name Naomi means "pleasant" or "sweet," but she no longer felt worthy of such a title. In her pain and grief, she blamed God for her misfortunes, declaring that He had brought calamity upon her.

How often do we, like Naomi, allow our circumstances to cloud our view of God's goodness? When tragedy strikes or our prayers seem to go unanswered, it's easy to question God's love and sovereignty. We may find ourselves wandering away from our faith, convinced that God has turned His back on us.

But even in Naomi's bitterness, we see a glimmer of hope. For walking beside her was Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law who had chosen to leave behind everything she knew to follow Naomi and her God. Ruth's commitment is one of the most beautiful declarations of faith in all of Scripture:

"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me."

Ruth's decision to turn away from her old life and trust in the God of Israel is a powerful example of what it means to truly commit our lives to God. It involves both turning and trusting – turning away from our old ways and trusting in God's goodness and plan for our lives, even when we can't see the full picture.

This radical commitment is at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. It's not about blind faith or taking a leap into the unknown. Rather, it's an active decision to confidently rely on God's word and character, even in the face of uncertainty or hardship.

The Apostle Peter, after telling a crowd in Jerusalem about Jesus' death and resurrection, urged them: "Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out." This turning and trusting is the essence of what it means to enter into a relationship with the living God.

But here's the incredible thing: God is eager to welcome whoever turns to Him, whether for the first time or after a long period of wandering. Just as Ruth, a foreigner from a people often at odds with Israel, was welcomed into God's family and even became an ancestor of Jesus Himself, so too does God open His arms to all who come to Him in faith.

This truth is beautifully illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son, where a father eagerly awaits the return of his wayward child, ready to celebrate and restore him to full sonship. No matter how far we've strayed or how bitter we've become, God's love remains constant and His grace abundant.

Yet, the journey home isn't always easy. Like Naomi, we may return feeling empty and broken. We may struggle to see God's goodness in the midst of our pain. But it's in these moments that we must look to the cross, where we see God's power, goodness, and wisdom on full display.

At the cross, we see God's incredible power to orchestrate events across centuries to bring about our salvation. We see His unfathomable goodness in sending His Son to die for us. And we see His perfect wisdom in turning the greatest tragedy into the best news the world has ever known.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). This doesn't mean that everything that happens to us is good, but rather that God is able to weave even our darkest moments into a tapestry of redemption and grace.

So, wherever you find yourself today – whether you're feeling bitter like Naomi, full of faith like Ruth, or somewhere in between – know that God is eager to meet you there. If you've been wandering, it's only one step back. You don't need to walk an aisle or fill out a card. You simply need to turn your heart back to Him and trust in His unfailing love.

Let's remember that the greatest proof of our spiritual life isn't knowing exactly when we first believed, but rather demonstrating the reality of our faith today. Like Ruth, may we cling to God with unwavering commitment. And like Naomi, may we find the courage to journey home, even when we can't yet see the blessings that await us.

For just as Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest – a sign of God's provision and new beginnings – so too does God have good things in store for those who return to Him. May we all find the grace to turn, trust, and come home to the God who eagerly awaits us with open arms.