And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. – Ruth 1:14
A big part of knowing who you are is knowing who you ARE NOT. Recently on Honey and Onion we talked about knowing your limitations. As always, I go to the Bible for guidance and validation for my thoughts and opinions. Duh! That’s the whole point of Shine TYC — use the Bible to guide every aspect of our lives, seven days a week. Anyway…when it comes to knowing your limitations and bowing out gracefully, nobody did it better than Orpah.
Now, let’s not confuse her with the queen of media, Oprah Winfrey. Nope! In fact, I’d say Oprah is more like Ruth than Orpah. Ruth was committed to the cause. She followed Naomi and vowed to die with her. On the other hand, Orpah, when given an out– took it. That’s me! But don’t start judging me just yet.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about flip your Bible to Ruth 1. It’s a great story with a happy ending for Naomi, Ruth and all of us. Orpah, however, went on her happy way back home to Moab. She didn’t have it in her to follow them to a foreign land. Yeah, she tried but she had to turn back. Can I tell you something? You need to know when to fold ’em. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” If you keep going down a path because you are too stubborn to turn back, you are headed for worse trouble than the minor irritation you’re going to get from someone who inevitably says, “I told you so.” My advice? Smile and say, “Yes you did. Thank you.”
We don’t talk a lot about limitations. Everybody wants to “do all things through Christ” who strengthens us. But guess what? There are limits to what you can do and those limits are set by God. If God called you, then persevere the journey with all the grit and grind you can muster. But, if you are chasing money, notoriety, lifestyle, significance, etc outside of God, you’re headed on the wrong journey every time, my friend. If you are motivated by fear or shame, you just might be on the back roads to nowhere.
Ruth had a bold assurance about staying with Naomi. Orpah, not so much. When I know I am doing what God wants me to do I am unstoppable…literally. I will jump hurdles on a unicycle eating fire while juggling avocados to stay in ketosis. But, if there is any doubt about what I’m doing and I get a lane to escape. I’m out!
With each limitation you uncover and accept, you gain a little more understanding of your true purpose.
Kamryn Adams
See, here’s the thing. With each limitation you uncover and accept, you gain a little more understanding of your true purpose. The irony of this whole purposeful journey is that the more you understand how broken and incapable you are, the more whole and unstoppable you become! Limitations are your superpower. I stole that from Paul in 2 Corinthians 12.
So, don’t shy away from your limits and failures. Be like Orpah. Know when to bow out gracefully before your pride sets your unicycle on fire.