Abram obeyed God and left for
Canaan the moment God asked him to. But one thing was very
interesting to me and that is that Lot went with him. God
instructed Abram to leave, not Lot as well. He promised greatness
to Abram and not to Lot. But Lot went with him. Now the Bible
doesn't say whether Lot decided to go along on his own, or whether
Abram convinced him to come along.
"So Abram departed as the Lord
instructed him and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years
old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot and
all his wealth." Genesis 12:4, 5
But what we know for sure is that
Lot was in on the ride. And boy did he cause a lot of problems.
Once they found a land to live in in Canaan, arguments broke out
between Lot's herdsman and Abram's herdsman because there were too
many animals for the available pastureland. Abram then talked it
over with Lot and suggested that they separate. He did the most
amazing mature thing and gave Lot the first option to choose where
he wanted to stay. And sure enough Lot took the best land for
himself, the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley. And if that was
not bad enough, Lot choose to live close to the immoral Sodom. And
because he lived there he was in the middle of a battle amongst the
kings and he was captured, along with everything he owned. Poor
Abram had to go and face an army in order to go and rescue him.
After that Lot returned to live in Sodom and we all know how that
turned out for him. Abram had to plead with God to rescue Lot and
his family before He destroyed the city and all they had. God
listened to Abram and rescued them, but Lot's wife was so enticed
with the city, she looked back when it was destroyed and turned
into a salt pillar. Lot caused a lot of problems. I wonder
sometimes if Abram was not sorry for taking Lot along with him.
Sometimes God asks us to do certain
things, but then we are too insecure to do it by ourselves. We then
convince someone else to join us which in the end turns out to be a
mistake. How many stories do we all hear in our modern day living
of partnerships that turned sour? I have heard several and I am
sure you have too. It is actually very seldom that the start up
partners stay together through it all.
I once wanted to organise a
Christian ladies' morning, because I knew God wanted me to. I was
obedient, but so insecure that I tried to get a partner to do it
with me. I easily found one that just as excited as I was about the
event, but a month or two later she disappeared from the scene.
Then I found an organisation to join me in organising the event.
They were very excited about it as well, but withdrew two months
later, with no real reason. Then I found another lady that said she
would do the marketing of the event for me, but without even
notifying me she didn't even pitch for the event. I was crushed,
but it soon became clear to me that God wanted me to do this on my
own. And shaking and alone, I was obedient and it turned out to be
a big success. He wanted to teach me a valuable lesson. Don't
delegate tasks that He gave specifically to you. If He thinks you
can do it, you can. If He thinks it will be a success, it will.
Next time you feel led to do
something, whether it is starting a new business, or organising
something for the Lord, or whatever the case may be, ask the Lord
whether you need a partner or not. Ask Him for confirmation and
divine intervention if you need someone by your side, otherwise, do
it alone. It will work out much better and be the success it is
meant to be. God never makes mistakes. He is your Creator and knows
what you are capable of. If He says you can, you can.
Father please give me the courage
to stand up on my own. I am scared and I don't know if I am capable
of doing this on my own, but if You believe in me, that is enough.
Please give me the confidence and the guidance to step out further.
Thank you Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen