Don't Look Back, Or Get Salted! ♡♡♡

 

           "...But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt" - Genesis 19:26

Dang! What could possibly go wrong with looking back eh? even if only to "peep" back at the "coolness" of burning sulfur, or the "dopeness" of buildings falling in piles over one another? Sadly, Lot's wife didn't make it. 

If we read only the opening line of scripture, we would be more inclined to believe that "God is too harsh?" - In the same way one could see a parent "spank" a child hard in public, make a judgement call, without fully understanding the context. God had earlier warned Lot through some angel visitors, about an impending punishment coming for the sin city of Sodom & Gomorrah. First, Lot goes on to share the important news with his son in-laws. They "huff and puff" [Genesis 19:14]. I have a feeling though, that thier response discouraged Lot. Why? because scripture tells us right after in verse 15, that with the coming of the dawn, the angels urged Lot to hurry with his wives and daughters out of the city before it is swept away in punishment. Yet we are told in verse 16-17 below, that he hesitated. [Drops jaw, see below]

"When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hand of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains  or you will be swept away!" - Genesis 29:16-17

So when Lot's wife looked back at the penultimate hour, it wasn't really to admire how cool burning sulfur was, or how dope collapsing buildings piled down. It was really a longing for "what had been". God did not make a choice for Lot's wife. Lot's wife made a choice for herself, just in the same way her son in-laws made a choice for themselves. She was unfortunately engulfed by the debris of her past, instead of laying hold of what was ahead. We may deceive others or even deceive ourselves about who we really are, but every wise person knows that eventually the truth catches up with who they really are. God did everything possible to get this family on the "saving train". And even when He was unable to save all, He'd at least try to save some. God first warned, then he urged, and then he grabbed by the hands. Isn't it what God still does till this very day? God is incredibly patient with you & I.

Everyday before us, there are important decisions and choices to be made. Choices to obey and move forward with God or decisions to keep admiring the treasures of Egypt. Friends, where I come from  they say - "Everyday is for the thief, but one day is for the owner". That God's mercy is new every morning does not mean that he is slack concerning his promises [2 Peter 3:9]. So when that old jacket or new perfume reminds you of sin city, or that phone call from hell, seems easier than carrying your cross- Ask yourself if it is even worth it

                      "You are always one decision away from a totally different life"

Love

SR