It was another Wednesday night several years ago. This time I was teaching 4 & 5 year olds instead of 2's and 3's. We had a pretty big class -- about six students. Another lady was helping me. We had finished our lesson and had a little extra time before the bell rang that would signal the end of class time. We decided to play the "Guess Who" game. Have you ever played that game?
It goes kind of like this: I tried to run away from God and got swallowed by a big fish. Who am I? Sometimes the clues are a little more difficult; but with 4 and 5 year olds the clues should be pretty easy. Although you would be surprised at what they do remember. And you would also be surprised at the very unique way some of them have of looking at things. That night as we were playing this game - one of the little boys in our class wanted to take a turn giving the clues. OK - that was fine by us.
This is the clue we got: "My house blew up and I didn't have a place to live and I had to walk and walk a long way. Who am I?" Well the other teacher looked at me and under her breath she said, "I hope you've got this because I don't have a clue."
"OK," I said, "Give me the clue again."
"You know, - my house blow up. And I didn't have a place to live and I had to walk a long time and I finally found a place to stay in the mountains - "
Well, with the mountain clue - I made a good guess and asked my little friend if perhaps he was Lot. "Yes! That's it. You guessed it."
I still smile when I remember this story. This particular young man always had a very unique way of looking at things. He is very smart and has since become a Christian. I am so very proud of him. I'm sure his parents are, too. He was and still is a very sweet and loving fella.
Lot's story though, is a particularly sad one. He made choices that ultimately led to much heartache in his life. Yet he started out doing well. He went with Abram and Sarai when they obeyed God's command to leave their land. He was Abram's nephew and no doubt they were very close to one another; but there were family members he could have stayed with. Instead, he decided to follow his uncle. Since his father was dead, Abram may have had a huge part in raising Lot. After all, he and Sarai had no children of their own. I am just speculating here, but it is clear that they were close to one another or Lot would have never left with him.
It is also clear that both Abram and Lot were blessed with wealth. Both of them had plenty of cattle and servants. So much so, that the servants began to fight among themselves over the wells. It became apparent that the two families had prospered so well, they must separate -- go to different places so there would be plenty of room for all. Abram kindly gave Lot first choice. He "pitched his tent toward Sodom." Abram and his household went in the other direction.
We all know what happened after that. This was Lot's first bad choice. Why did he choose to go that way? The land was better. He was taking the part of the country that he thought would be the easiest for him to live and thrive in. How many of us have done that at least once in our lives? How many of us have taken the easy way out - thinking it would be fine and there would be repercussions? Sometimes though, the easy way out is definitely NOT the best way out. When things become too easy for us sometimes we let our guard down. We forget to be watchful for our souls. We aren't as vigilant as we might otherwise be. Lot chose land that would be best for his cattle -easier for him and his servants to work. It was "toward" Sodom.
At some point, Lot and his family moved completely into the city of Sodom. Something drew them to the city. That was Lot's second bad choice. The city of Sodom was a very wicked place. God wanted to destroy it. Abram (Abraham) begged God for it to be saved if 10 righteous people were found in the city. God agreed. But it was not to be so .. Lot and his family were only four. The angels of God saved them. They were told they had to leave the city and then Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.
Lot's house really did blow up. The family really did lose their home and didn't have anywhere to live. They did walk a long way and Lot and his daughters did find a place to stay -- in a cave in the mountains. My little friend had his story right.
Many times when we think of the story of Lot - we think of his wife and how she looked back and then became a pillar of salt. Even Jesus told us to "Remember Lot's wife." There is so much we could talk about in regards to "looking back." That's a wrong choice too, for many reasons. It is good to follow the advice of Jesus and "remember Lot's wife."
However, we should also remember the events that led up Lot's house "blowing up." He chose what he thought would be easiest and best for his household. But living the easy life probably caused Lot and his wife to let their guard down. They were pulled completely into a city that was steeped in sin. They allowed themselves to be vulnerable. They lost their homes because of it. Lot's wife lost her life. And perhaps the life they were exposed to in that sinful city of Sodom is what led his daughters to deceive him.
Just remember that easy is not always good. Don't ever let you guard down. Be watchful. Be strong. Realize that the devil is sneaky. He rarely ever grabs you all at once. It is usually little by little. Don't fall for his trickery. Keep your eyes open and your heart true to God. Too many houses blow up even today because of sin. Don't let that happen to you or your family. Because after all, we don't want to lose our home in heaven.
Christ above all things,
Robin
No comments:
Post a Comment