Genesis 13:5-13,  Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents.  But the land could not support their living together, because their possessions were too great for them to remain together. Moreover, quarreling arose between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen.  The Canaanites and Perizzites were then living in the land.  Abram said to Lot, “Please, let’s not have quarreling between me and you, or between my herdsmen and yours since we’re kinsmen.  Isn’t the whole land there in front of you?  Please separate yourself from me ~ if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.” Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere, before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of God, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Soar.  So Lot chose all the plain of the Jordan for himself, and Lot traveled eastward; thus they separated themselves from each other.  Abram lived in the land of Canaan; and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, setting up his tent near Sodom.  Now the men of Sodom were evil committing great sins against God.

Lot had all of the plains of Jordan, obviously a beautiful area to choose from and he chose to pitch his tent next to Sodom.  Why on earth…?  We could ask that all day about different things people did that are written in the Bible and the sad thing is that we can ask ourselves that same question at times.  Why did he choose to live on the edge of such a wicked place?  I am sure he wanted to be near other people, it doesn’t appear that he was married yet, if he was she wasn’t mentioned yet, but regardless, why there?  

Now let’s take a look at Abraham. (God changed his name from Abram to Abraham) Genesis 18: 17-19, God said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, in as much as Abraham is sure to become a great and strong nation and all the nations of the earth will be blessed by him?  For I have made myself known to him so that he will give orders to his children and to his household after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is right and just, so that the Lord may bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.”  Abraham had a heart to seek God and God made Himself known to Him.  Abraham followed everything the Lord told him to do, not that he didn’t make mistakes, he was not perfect but he chose to follow God and not to live on the “edge” and God led Him and blessed Him!    

So, as we move forward to chapter 19 we see Lot again, after Abraham had begged God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if God could find just ten righteous people in Sodom.  It makes you wonder if he was really hoping that maybe Lot and his family would be that ten.  But nope, there’s Lot… he no longer lives on the edge with all of his possessions, herds, and tents, he is now living and raising his family in the heart of it!  The angels came and Lot’s sons-in-law didn’t believe Lot when he said they needed to leave because God was going to destroy the city. The angels had to literally grab, Lot, his wife, and his two daughters that were still living with him out of the city in order to save them!

When you choose to live as he did on the “edge”, it never works out the way you may think it is going to.  You don’t have to try to live on the “edge” these days, let’s face it there are so many outrageous things beating down on your door, you don’t have to look for them!  Is there something or someone that God is trying to drag you away from or maybe he has but you are having a difficult time staying away?  Take it to Him and keep taking it to Him every time it crosses your mind.  Set your face toward Him and determine to just keep going to Him for wisdom and strength and He will guide you and give you the strength you need!

We have the answers and the hope the world needs and it is our responsibility to live different and to be the light in this dark world and the only way to do that is to pursue Him and follow Him in all we do!  I would just likely encourage you today to ask God to show you any area you may be too close to the “edge” in and ask Him to guide you into all He created you to be!  He loves you and His best is found in His plan and believe me that isn’t on the edge of Sodom.  Stop for just a minute and pray and ask God to open your eyes to anything that  is in the way of a closer walk with Him or with teaching your children.  Lot’s daughters who married his son in-laws were clearly left behind, maybe that’s why his wife just couldn’t help herself… she had to see what was happening… God has a plan and we have the opportunity to be a part of that plan by choosing what He chooses.  Life is short let’s determine to make a difference for His Kingdom!

Quote:  If what you believe doesn’t make a difference in how you live then it isn’t very important.  ~ Dick Nogleberg