Why do we need to remember Lot’s wife? When we read how she was fleeing from destruction, we see that she was running in one direction but her eyes were on another direction. She had an opportunity to save her life but unfortunately instead she considered other things more precious than her life. Many of us are like this. We think that we can run after two things but the Bible says that we cannot serve two masters. There are two masters in this world. One is God and the other is the world. Many of us serve these two masters. When the world is watching us we serve God but when the world is not watching us we secretly serve the other master. We always think about things related to the other master such as money, power, position, land, job, security, investments, etc. These are things that give us maximum financial return. We have many valid reasons for doing that. You might perhaps think, “is it not only normal to make sure your home and things are secure?” Yes, you are right it is normal to think about your home and the other materials you have but in an emergency situation, saving your life is more important than saving your property. Maybe temporarily our actions and hidden agendas won’t be seen by the world but one day the actual desires of our heart will be known to all.
Lot’s wife did not reach the desired end . Because her priorities were not right and she had lost her focus. She tried to run with all her energy in one direction but her mind was not on the direction she was running to, so she was actually not running at all. She started well but at the end we see her condition did not turn out well. Many Christians have started well but because of the wrong priorities they get stuck on the way.
Today we are looking at this passage as a warning to all who compromise in their heavenly journey. How is our journey? Are we running our race well? What are our priorities, things of this world or things of heaven? What are our thoughts? Thoughts are most important as they guide us. What do we consider as precious in our life? Are we able to see the things of this world as rubbish and run away from it? Lot’s wife looked back when God has specifically instructed her not to do so. She looked back at the things she left behind, to the things she was asked to leave.
How are we running our race? Is our priority in life to save our life as well as others? God wants us to run that way. To the new covenant Israelites God has given the responsibility of others too. God wants us to declare this golden opportunity to those who have not heard it and save them from the eternal fire. Thus our race is a lifesaving race, not only for ourselves but for others as well. That is why sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ is our greatest commission.
It is very sad to see that many organizations which were (are) founded on Christian values and the spreading of the gospel have now stopped sharing the news that salvation is only through Jesus and have instead started distributing blankets and goats. This is a big mistake. What is the point of covering the lost with a blanket while they burn in eternal fire? I am not trying to discourage you from sharing but what is more important is saving them from eternal damnation.
Let us remember Lot’s wife and not repeat the same mistakes. Let our priorities be correct and let us run consistently towards the right direction. Let us fulfill our key responsibilities.
(Email: abynewbihar@gmail.com)
