Choices...

    I recall the story of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. God had told Abraham to leave the country where he was and his father’s family and journey to Canaan. The only person that was supposed to go with him was his wife, Sarah. However, his nephew, Lot also went with him (Genesis 12:1-5). 
    Along the journey, both men acquired many animals and great wealth to the point where they were forced to separate. While Abraham settled in the land of Canaan, Lot chose to settle in the cities of the plain of Jordan, as far as Sodom (Genesis 13:1-12). Years later, because of the intense wickedness of that country, Sodom, God chose to destroy it. As Lot and his wife and daughters fled the city when God visited it to destroy it, they were warned not to look back. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife did just that and turned into a pillar of salt. She missed what God could do next with her family.
    We all have choices to make. Some are easy but some are not. In the above story, Lot’s wife had a choice but she made the wrong one and caused her family to miss the opportunity to live a better life (see Genesis 19:30-38).
    I parallel this with the children of Israel as they fled Egypt. Believe it or not, they too had choices. When God led them down that difficult path which caused them to be trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptians, they had a choice - to go forward or to go back. They were scared and in their minds and hearts they shifted into reverse wishing that they were back in Egypt (Exodus 14:10-12).
    How many times have you been tempted to shift into reverse. You know this is the path God wants you to go down but the temptation to return to the old and familiar presents itself. God’s path for you may be a path that leads to victory or to the next level or stage in your life. It’s a better path filled with hope and joyful expectation. Yet, when the challenges appear, the old and familiar seem more inviting. The road all of a sudden looks too hard, even downright impossible and you find yourself wanting to turn back. Maybe the “Promised Land” isn’t so wonderful after all. Maybe you can make do and make it work right where you are … or where you used to be.
    The path of trust in God is never an easy one. The life of faith in God will always be fraught with setbacks, disappointments and challenges - some foreseen, many unforeseen. But, like the children of Israel, when God gives that command to “Go forward,” there is only one choice to make - obedience to God’s voice and leading. It’s at that time when you can’t see very far ahead on the road, when the obstacles seem never-ending, that you really have to make up your mind that it’s GOD or nothing!
    I’ve coined a favourite phrase these days when faced with insurmountable challenges. That phrase is: “God, it’s me and you!” You see, that’s the point where I realise that it’s not going to get done, I’m not going to get past that problem unless GOD is in it and acts on my behalf. I don’t have time to stress myself out trying to do it on my own. At that point, I HAVE to trust God to see me through!
    I encourage you today to come to that point where you say with determination: “God, it’s me and you!” It was God and the Israelites in it together when faced with the Red Sea. They were never alone. They could not get through that challenge alone. God covered them, God protected them from their enemies even while they waited all night as those winds blew to part that Red Sea. And, God is going to do the same for you and for me. When your back is against the wall, and you feel tempted to go back, DON"T! Just remember that God is able and He WILL come through for you. You may not know how or when but He will!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now. God is faithful. He will never lead you down a path to destruction but always down a path that will inevitably lead to His best for you. He  never fails, you can trust Him!