In Genesis 13 we see Abram leaving Egypt with his wife, his possessions which were great; and Lot his nephew with Lot’s possessions. The land couldn’t sustain Abram’s and Lot’s herds together so Abram gave Lot the first choice of which direction he wanted. Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. v. 10. Lot chose what his eyes saw as best.

As I thought about the choice Lot made, I couldn’t help but think about choices we make.

Just before Abram presented Lot with first choice, I found it interesting where Abram’s heart truly was. From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. v. 3-4. He called on the name of the Lord. He chose God.

The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord. v. 14-18.

Lot chose what pleased his eyes to see. He chose to live near Sodom, a city known for its sin.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

The greatest blessing of walking with God is realizing that He is our life. He is true life. He teaches us how to love. He shows us the blessing of putting away selfish desires so that our hearts can be open to learning from Him how to love – life.

As I look around today, I see people obsessed with getting their own way to the hurt of others. Choices. Taking God’s hand, we can learn a better way. Trust God to teach us. It takes courage to step into the unknown but the reward is the Lord. He will open your heart to learn the truth of His love which is healing and will fill you with hope. As you learn to listen to His voice, you realize He is there with you and the path you walk together leads you to life eternal….with Him.

One day Abraham will look around and see the fulfilled promise God made to him so long ago. We are his offspring and we, too, can choose to call on the name of the Lord and find our true home with Him.