On Thursday this past week, I started my work day like most days, in the sanding booth. I put my earbuds in and turned on some music to get the day started. I wasn't sure what podcast to listen to, so I figured I would start with music.
A few minutes later, Holy Spirit told me to listen to the Proverbs 31 Ministries podcast. I said, "Okay, I'll just finish these parts I'm on, and after I put them away, I will turn on that podcast." A few minutes later, I put on the next episode of this podcast. The title is "Moving Toward God's Purpose for Your Life." with guest Christine Caine. I didn't give much attention to the title, just started listening.
The teaching was about Lot's wife and how Jesus wants us to remember her. We are to remember her for her actions and turn away from them. Genesis 19 tells us of how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and verse 26 is where Lot's wife turns back to see her home destroyed and, in so doing, turns into a pillar of salt.
Christine Caine said several things that were too good not to write down and share with you. First one was that, "Lot's wife was torn between what she was leaving and where she was going." Which, of course, is why she looked back. She, like many of us today, does not want to leave our homes, friends, and communities. We don't want to leave our comfort zones. Even if we know God is doing it to save us from destruction. Now, no one has turned into a pillar of salt since then as far as I know, but I'm sure God has disciplined others for the same reasons in other ways. We shouldn't criticize or make fun of her though, because if we are honest with ourselves, we would probably do the same thing.
Lot's wife was attached to the past. Her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in what God had for her in the upcoming future. "She wanted what she had more than what God had for her." Christine Caine. She didn't trust God, and ultimately it ruined her life.
Listening to this episode, I thought about all the times hubby and I have moved towns, apartments and jobs. Through all these moves and changes, I have only found myself looking back and longing once. I left a job I loved becaue it was no longer serving my family the way it needed to for a job that I quickly came to hate. For several months, I prayed and asked God why He had brought me to this place and what His plan was. He answered and told me why He led me to that new job a few months later. It only made the job a little bit more bearable. I spent several long, rough months in that position before God moved me into a different department in the same company. It changed everything. Before I left the first job, my manager made it very clear that I was welcome and wanted back if I chose to return. Even contacted me personally after I returned for a visit and told my new ex coworkers how much I hated the new job, but I knew that God took me out of that place and into a new place for a reason, and I needed to follow. Didn't like it one bit in the process, but I followed and trusted that God had His reasons, and thankfully He will never change and therefore still has His reason as to why He takes us away from certain places and brings us to new places.
All that being said, it's not bad to look back and enjoy fond memories or learn from negative experiences and apply those lessons to the future. The important thing is that we do not stay there. We keep moving forward, hopefully toward God.
Thankfully, I know that when I am walking through a difficult season, I can trust God to always listen to my heart and walk with me through the situation. I am also blessed with my amazing husband, who is always available to listen, support and encourage me with whatever is on my mind. I also have a handful of close friends who are there when I need them.
When the episode finished, I thought, "Boy, that preached," and, "I know what this week's blog will be on." I would encourage you to go and find the Proverbs 31 Ministries podcast, listen to this episode and enjoy the full teaching from Christine Caine.
So friend, don't be Lot's wife. Don't look back longingly. Look to and trust God. He knows what He is doing.
Have a blessed Sunday evening. I pray this blesses and encourages you where you are today.
~Hannah
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