Jamie Noyd begins a series exploring what the life of Ruth has to say to Christian academics.Â
So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in- law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.†– Ruth 1:7-8, ESV
Reflection
On our way. Once we’ve made a difficult decision to begin a graduate program or take on a new job, we like to think that we are on our way. There may be a few challenges following that initial decision, but the general path is before us. We just have to follow it. However, it’s essential not to put our trust in the path itself because it can and does change.
In ministry with faculty and graduate students – and in my own life – I have heard so many times the cry, “I thought God brought me to this place, why aren’t things working out?†Why am I not getting funding? Why do my colleagues seem to be against me? What do I do now that my advisor has left? At these moments, an unexpected and undesired time of decision faces us. Is this the right place for me? Do I stay and work through the conflict or is it time to leave – maybe even return to a former job? [Read more…] about Ruth: Stopped Along the Way (Scholar’s Compass)