Linsey Ruth
Advocate-speaker-warrior
At 18 I struck out on my own at 19 I was tricked into a down-spiraling life of a human trafficking victim, at 26 I broke free of the chains that held me and my children enslaved and at 34 I finally recognized that I was a victim survivor of Human Trafficking. I have had many highs and too many lows to count, through each trial and error I learned, I lived and I do my best to rise above.
As I have been traveling this path that God has me on I have begun to look deeper into how often I found myself in situations or places that I just don't want to be, or felt like I was trapped and there is no way out?
I know I am not the only one. We fight it every step of the way and many times refuse to accept it.
There are times when we need to push a little harder to change our situations or make a move to get away from "fill in the blank"
But have you ever stopped to ponder why you are where you are? Life choices good or bad, you grew up there, your jobs there... What ever it is; you are there for a reason.
In Proverbs 19:21 is says "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails"
So as hard as we try, when God's purpose for your life (which we all have) conflicts with the thing WE want to do in life; His plan will prevail.
The most famous story to me that speaks of God's purpose is Ester.
Here is a girl who lost her parent, adopted by her uncle and Jewish (in a time that Jews were being persecuted) I am sure she just wanted to live a simple normal, quiet life. But God had a bigger plan, one that was much bigger then herself.
I have found it best stated here;
"In the midst of her turmoil, Esther realized she could not allow fear to paralyze her into inaction; that in itself would be a decision. Instead, she left the outcome with God. It was clear she had only one real choice."(https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/esther-a-woman-of-faith-and-courage)
Ester had a choice, she could suffer in her circumstances or rise up and be courageous. Use her position (where you live, work, learn) and speak out. It may not be your ideal place, but it is the one that you have been placed in. It is where God wants to use you to magnify His greatness.
When you are going through your day and you are discouraged with your current circumstances. Remember that God loves you and want to best for you He makes no mistakes and "who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Ester 4:14)
My current Ester calling is as an abolitionist speaking out and standing up to the injustices that are Human trafficking and sex crimes.
My mission is to use my testimony and skills to be able to bring awareness to what HT is, the warning signs, ways to protect yourself family and friends and to find courage on the other side of what ever battle you may be going through.
As well as teaching others we all can be conquerors not just survivors.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
As I have been traveling this path that God has me on I have begun to look deeper into how often I found myself in situations or places that I just don't want to be, or felt like I was trapped and there is no way out?
I know I am not the only one. We fight it every step of the way and many times refuse to accept it.
There are times when we need to push a little harder to change our situations or make a move to get away from "fill in the blank"
But have you ever stopped to ponder why you are where you are? Life choices good or bad, you grew up there, your jobs there... What ever it is; you are there for a reason.
In Proverbs 19:21 is says "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails"
So as hard as we try, when God's purpose for your life (which we all have) conflicts with the thing WE want to do in life; His plan will prevail.
The most famous story to me that speaks of God's purpose is Ester.
Here is a girl who lost her parent, adopted by her uncle and Jewish (in a time that Jews were being persecuted) I am sure she just wanted to live a simple normal, quiet life. But God had a bigger plan, one that was much bigger then herself.
I have found it best stated here;
"In the midst of her turmoil, Esther realized she could not allow fear to paralyze her into inaction; that in itself would be a decision. Instead, she left the outcome with God. It was clear she had only one real choice."(https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/esther-a-woman-of-faith-and-courage)
Ester had a choice, she could suffer in her circumstances or rise up and be courageous. Use her position (where you live, work, learn) and speak out. It may not be your ideal place, but it is the one that you have been placed in. It is where God wants to use you to magnify His greatness.
When you are going through your day and you are discouraged with your current circumstances. Remember that God loves you and want to best for you He makes no mistakes and "who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Ester 4:14)
My current Ester calling is as an abolitionist speaking out and standing up to the injustices that are Human trafficking and sex crimes.
My mission is to use my testimony and skills to be able to bring awareness to what HT is, the warning signs, ways to protect yourself family and friends and to find courage on the other side of what ever battle you may be going through.
As well as teaching others we all can be conquerors not just survivors.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela