Don’t Get Stuck!

Genesis 19:1-26

2020 was a year unlike any other year in most of our lifetimes. Every year has those one or two events that stick out that somewhat defines that particular year. But 2020 was so eventful that it will be considered most likely as paradigm shift in human history. In other words, it will be a fixed point of reference for the decades following that will have influenced world events.

The tendency is to look back at the events that happen and think how they affected our daily lives. For the most part the impacts were negative and has had their emotional, psychological, and for some spiritual impacts. The challenge for us as God’s people is not to look back, but to look forward.

In our scriptural text, the angels told Lot and his family just one thing: Don’t look back! They were to look up to a higher place that they were leading them too, which was the mountains. After receiving the warning to flee because of God’s impending judgement on Sodom, Lot was somewhat slow and reluctant to pack his things and go. There are a few of lessons here to be learned.

First, in Lot’s reluctance, the angels had to hasten him to get ready. In other words there was this fervent persistence from the angels to hurry up. Why did he delay? It is possible he had some ties to some things in Sodom that were meaningful to him.

Second, the angels had to literally pick Lot and his family up and carry them to the gate of the city. Was it unbelief or did they think they had more time? Who knows, but I think both reasons could apply.

Last of all, Lot’s wife looked backed! It appeared that she was heading to safety, but in her heart she was still in Sodom.

The application for us is not to look back at 2020 and get stuck there. Let us not dwell on those events that impacted our lives in a negative way keep us from going where God wants us to go, which is a higher place. Don’t let traditions that were affected cause us from reaching out into new things, while still proclaiming the same message. Let us not be slow to react to call of being prepared, for the day of the Lord is at hand. Christ second coming is nearer than we think. Finally, let us not dwell on our sins and failures that we had, but let us look the that hill called Calvary where Christ paid the price for our sin.

Lot’s wife in looking back was turned into a pillar of salt and remains in the same place from where she looked back. Don’t get stuck in 2020 by constantly looking back. Look forward, look up, and let God lead you to a higher place in him!

God bless and love you all!

Pastor Robby