Good Choice or Best Choice?
When the time came for Lot and his uncle Abraham to part ways
(their families, animals, servants, etc. had become so numerous the
land could no longer support them), Abraham gave Lot first choice.
“I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section
of the land you want, and we will separate If you want that part
over there to the east, then I’ll stay here in the western section.
Or, if you want the west, then I’ll go over there to the east”
(Genesis 13:9 LB).
Lot looked around and chose the land of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The land was fertile and well-watered. “The whole section
was like the Garden of Eden” (Genesis 13:10 LB).
Through human eyes, this may have seemed like a good choice.
He could be successful at growing anything, because of the fertile
land. But a good choice doesn’t always equal the best choice!
Though the ground itself was fantastic, the people living there were extremely wicked:
“The men of this area were unusually wicked, and sinned greatly against
Jehovah” (Genesis 13:13 LB).
Many of us miss God’s best simply because we’re focused on
the good. Check out what Oswald Chambers says about good
choices: “The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin
but good choices which are not quite good enough, The good is
always the enemy of the best.”
We don’t want the good.
We want God’s best, right?
So when tempted to quickly make a good choice,
let’s stop—
and pray—
and be willing to WAIT—
until God reveals His BEST for us!
Reading further in Genesis, we see the sad results of Lot’s choice.
God eventually destroyed that entire area of Sodom and Gomorrah
with fire from heaven.
The wicked may prosper for a season, but God’s righteousness
will eventually prevail.
This week as you’re making choices—
don’t be so quick to make what looks like a good choice.
Surrender your right to choose, and submit to God’s best choices
for your life.
Thoughts?
Please pray for me as I speak at the Missouri District Family Camp next week in Fredricktown, MO.
My Right . . . or God’s Will?
Abraham and his nephew Lot had numerous animals,
servants,
family members
and crops.
In fact, the area became so crowded the land
could no longer support them.
It was time to split.
Abraham gave Lot first choice.
“I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section of the
land you want, and we will separate. If you want that part over
there to the east, then I’ll stay here in the western section. Or, if
you want the west, then I’ll go over there to the east” (Genesis
13:9 LB).
Abraham had the “right” to choose first.
To give that right seemed foolish to those around him.
But Abraham was more focused on surrender to God
than demanding his rights.
We can cling to our rights . . . but we’ll forfeit God’s blessings.
I love what Oswald Chambers says about rights:
“Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our
lives, it dulls our spiritual insight.”
You see, by choosing to focus on our rights . . . what’s mine, what
should happen, me first, my title, my position, my status . . . we miss
the joy of total surrender to God’s holy will.
And isn’t this what sanctification is all about?
Yielding to HIS will.
Being fitted with HIS yoke.
Living in HIS choices for my life.
THIS is true freedom.
Thoughts?
Can you help?
Hey, friends!
Once in a while, I use this site to share something personal.
And I want to do that today.
Many of you know that each summer for the past 20 years, I’ve taken
students and adults on two-week mission trips to Central and South
America.
(If you’re interested in joining me NEXT summer, let me know!)
But this summer we’re headed to Ecuador and are $2,000 short in
funds.
Would you pray about making a donation?
Because Susie Shellenberger Ministries is a 501-C 3 non-profit
organization, I can send you a receipt for tax purposes (just like when
you tithe to your church). But don’t send me your tithe! Give that to
your church.
If God leads you to do this, we need it as soon as possible.
You can make your check to Susie Shellenberger Ministries and mail
it to: 7012 N. Lake Front Drive, Warr Acres, OK 73132.
Any amount will be greatly appreciated!
And I’ll mail you a receipt for taxes.
Love,
Susie Shellenberger