Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Luke 17: 20-37

 

Key Text: Luke 17:32 – “Remember Lot’s wife”

 

Focus is a very important attribute for success in life. What we focus on also determines our actions and priorities. What our expectation is has a direct correlation to how we deploy our resources and energies. I have heard people ask me the question “what is the meaning of life?’ ‘Why all this rat race?’ This is a very profound question and many people have not even stopped to ponder or reflect on what their purpose is on earth.

Today’s scripture is a warning to us who are believers in Christ Jesus, not to forget our purpose and keep our focus on the eternal things. Lot and his wife with their daughters were living in Sodom and God had decided to destroy the city for its sins and abominations. Lot and his family were asked to leave and go to another city, and they were warned never to look back. As the fire and brimstone fell on Sodom, Lot’s wife looked back and she turned into a pillar of salt.

This sad story is a warning to all of us not to get too attached to worldly possessions and material things. We do not know precisely why Lot’s wife looked back, but we know for certain that she did something wrong. Some say she was looking back at her house, others her jewellery, clothes (Someone said her designer bags and shoes!!!(Laughter) etc. Whatever it was had a grip on her heart and as such she could not make it to the destination God was taking them to.

The love of worldly goods and materialism can dull one’s Christian life. I am not opposed to having worldly goods, but they must never gain control of our hearts to the extent that they are more important to us that the Kingdom of God. This is easier said than done. It is easier to focus on this present age and the things of this world, because they are things we see and relate with everyday. They appear so permanent and real, that if one is not careful, we would begin to believe the lie that the possession of these things is really the true mark of success and once we get into that mind frame, it is rather difficult to see the invincible and the eternal.

Let me say quite clearly, that there is nothing we acquire materially on this earth that will follow us into eternity. Our deeds will follow us though. So if we spend our lives in pursuit of earthly goods, where is our investment in eternity? Let us remember the scripture that tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Let us invest our time and energy on those things that are permanent. The love of God, the love of our fellow men, the preaching of the gospel, the discipling of the nations, the care for the poor and infirmed, the reconciliation and pursuit of peace etc etc.

Let’s hold lightly to worldly goods, so they don’t hinder us from reaching our destination in God. Let’s renew our focus on the heavenly things and gain a fresh perspective on this world and its goods and their temporariness.

Let us remember Lot’s wife!

 

Let’s pray: Father God thank you for reminding us today of the heavenly perspective. Thank you for the grace to hold the things of this world lightly and cling to the heavenly things. Thank you for the grace to invest in eternity and do the works that will last and remain. In Jesus name. Amen.