GIVE GOD A NOD WHEN MAKING BIG DECISIONS

This is the reporting of an event that took place over four thousand years ago.  God called a man named Abram to leave where he was and go to a new land named Canaan that God planned to give to him and all his family (even though Abram didn't have a family yet).  😂  God's stories are always SO unpredictable. 

When Abram left on his journey of obedience, he took with him his wife, Sarai, and his nephew, Lot.  They had some interesting things happen to them during their adventurous travels through the ancient near east.  But God was with them and enriched them so that both men became prosperous with livestock, silver and gold.  

But, as time passed, their number of flocks and herds and menservants and maidservants became quite large.  Quarrels broke out between their herdsmen and also the Canaanites and Perizzites also living off the land.  

Abram, being the elder of the two - and also the one God had called - went to Lot and suggested that they split up due to the size of their entourage.  Being a man who lived to please God, Abram gave Lot the opportunity to choose where he would go.  Abram simply said, "If you go to the left, I'll go to the right;  if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."  [Genesis 13:9 (NIV)]

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. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)  So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:  Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.  Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.  [Genesis 13:10-13 (NIV)]

Many of you are familiar with the end of this story.  Lot's choice landed him in an immoral valley where sexual sin became so horrible that God sent a storm of fire and hail to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah!  This happened AFTER Abram had to come and rescue Lot and his family from a coalition of kings that raided the valley and took Lot hostage along with his family!  

When Lot made his initial decision, we find no indication that he consulted God.  He simply chose what looked the best and would make his life the easiest.  His decision turned out to be DISASTROUS!!!!!!

What looks best from a human standpoint may not always be best from a divine perspective!  Doesn't it just make sense - especially if you consider yourself a Christian - to consult God at points of major decision-making?  In other words:  PRAY!  Ask God to direct your steps and give you wisdom.  Say something like:  "Lord, help me to make a decision here that will honor You and increase my sphere of influence for You!" 

You might just save yourself some grief and have a godly impact on some people's lives that would otherwise have gone without the touch of His grace!