So Much For Paradise

So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.  Genesis 14:11-12  ESV

What looks good not be good for me.  When I choose something based on eye appeal, I will become a casualty of my ignorance.

Abram had been generous.  He and Lot had stood overlooking the vistas of new land and a new future.  Abram gave Lot the first choice of where he’d like to settle.  Lot was not prayerful, did not seek God, and did not seek Abram’s advice either.  He grabbed the greenest land to the East and settled there.  It was the land of Sodom. He did not know the folly of making such a critical decision without prayer.  In just thirteen years, enemies would come in, conquer the land, and take Lot and his family captive.

Seeing how this story turned out, I can over-correct in the flesh and do the opposite thing.  I vow to pick the lesser of two choices, thinking this to be God’s life lesson.  That is equally foolish.  The problem was not the lush land of Sodom.  The problem was Lot’s heart and his casual disregard for God’s will.

I must not let anything temporal control me. I can enjoy beautiful things but should hold them loosely. When presented with a job offer, one lucrative and one modest, I know I may be drawn to the one that promises wealth.  That being true, I know that I can’t trust myself.  Only God knows if that option is good for me lest I become like Lot whose perceived good fortune led him into slavery.

What choices are you weighing today?  Who to marry, where to move, what job to take, where to move a parent with special needs, and what church to attend?  The choice that seems obvious may be the wrong one.  The one without the glitter may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.  God is all too willing to reveal His secrets to any child who acknowledges that he is void of wisdom.

One final thought.  Lot knew God had spoken to Abram and promised him a blessed future.  Deciding to part ways with Abram at all was his greatest mistake

I make such a mess when I live by my senses.  I can’t tell what I’m looking at.  Oh God, protect me and lead me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen