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THE SECRET OF UNENDING BREAKTHROUGHS
from Sunrise Summer 2019
by Sunrise
FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE
The Secret of Unending Breakthroughs
There are breakthroughs and there are breakthroughs. By this, I do not refer just to the scale or size of a particular breakthrough alone, but rather to the permanence of the particular progressive step being examined, whatever this may be. In other words, some breakthroughs, though remarkable, could end up being temporary, while others can be permanent. Let us take a look at a breakthrough that was not only significant, but eternal.
The story of a young, immigrant woman who journeyed to the land of ancient Israel as a widow, in the company of her equally widowed, destitute and distressed mother-in-law holds several life-transforming lessons. Of course, this is the astonishing biblical tale of Ruth the Moabite and Naomi the sojourner from Bethlehem who had fallen on hard times in Moab where years earlier, her husband and sons had fled to escape a famine at home.
Now, there is a temptation to think that Ruth’s eventual breakthrough marriage to Boaz, a relationship which eventually positioned her in the lineage of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, was due only to the discernment, wisdom, experience and tactful counsel of Naomi. Yet, that is only part of the story, although it is an important lesson about fulfilling destiny. What is often overlooked is that Ruth’s destiny was decided at a turning-point moment.
In spite of the persistent pleas by the then indigent Naomi who, on the surface had nothing more to offer her daughter-in-law, Ruth chose to walk with the older woman, unlike Orpah, the widow of Naomi’s other son who wept bitterly, but kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. The clue about Orpah’s carnal choice is hidden in Naomi’s plea: “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” (Ruth 1:15)
Not only did Orpah turn back from physically following Naomi at that juncture, she also turned away from serving Yahweh, the God of her deceased husband and mother-in-law. Worse, she went back to serve ‘her gods’ – the gods of Moab - as alluded to by Naomi. This, perhaps, more than anything, explains why Ruth got the intergenerational blessing. “Your people will be my people and your God my God”, declared Ruth at a critical moment.
Do you really want to locate the secret to unending breakthroughs? It is to be found in an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, irrespective of the circumstances you may find yourself right now, or somewhere down the road of life. Our times are in His hands, the Psalmist points out to us in Psalm 31:15. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Every day of our lives have been written in His book, even before one of them came to be.
Pastor Modupe Afolabi
• Pastor Modupe Afolabi is the Editor-in-Chief of Sunrise and Executive Administrator of RCCG Central Office.
Twitter: @MoAfolabi
