And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward;” Genesis 13:14 (New King James Version)
After the New Year, I chafed to get back to my various activities, especially Bible Study. I was ready to get going on the new study of The Patriarchs with Beth Moore. I have some new ladies in my discussion group and after the first session, while they were still catching their breath, I told them that watching her is like drinking from a fire hose. You just have to hold on…but it is worth it.
While reviewing Abrams story, it occurred to me that life takes time. I get frustrated at the lack of progress on my intended plan for my life. Unforeseen events force me to step back and wait. Illness, death, moving, surgery, distance from family and friends stop me cold. Abram and Lot also had problems and encountered a seemingly insurmountable problem of enough grazing land for their flocks. I am not so sure I would have been as gracious as Abram was but he allowed Lot to choose the best land and he took the other. I wonder if he was worried about finding water in the hilly country that was his portion. But even as Lot took off, God stopped Abram and asked him to look up. He had something better in mind for Abram than the watered plains in the east. Everything as far as the eye could see would belong to Abram but it was necessary for him to separate from Lot before God would implement His plan.
As I sat pondering, I realized that God knows what is going on in my life. Time has no meaning for him…it is my hang-up. He has separated me for His reasons and my part is to stay close to Him so He can show me my inheritance. After He got Abram’s attention, He commanded Abram to walk in every direction and claim the land. He does the same to me—keep walking, don’t give up, I haven’t forgotten you. Look up!
1/15/09