Our choices for God

"Abram said to Lot : Let there be no dispute between me and you. If you take the left, I will go to the right ; and if you take the right, I will go to the left ... And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him : Lift up your eyes and look, from where you are... Arise and walk in the land long and wide, for I will give it to you." Genesis 13. 8-17

Abram and Lot have large flocks that thrive to the point where there is competition between the shepherds on both sides and feuds erupt.

This uncle and his nephew seek provisions to avoid these conflicts. The place of their maintenance offers a wide view and should allow thoughtful choices. Abram remembers the word of God when he arrived in Canaan : "I will give this land to your seed." God promised him this land and, whatever Lot might choose, it was to him and not to Lot that the Lord gave Canaan. Abram does not rely on his elder rights and his calling. He lets his nephew determine himself. Without seeming to take into account these legitimate rights, Lot chooses the lush plain of the Jordan which he sees "as the garden of the Lord, as the land of Egypt". Nor does it take into account the predictable impacts of the promiscuity of "evil men of Sodom, and great sinners before Jehovah" (Gen. 13:10).

God then intervenes to support Abram's faith and to make him discover the land he has promised him : "Abram, lift up your eyes and look." God shows him the country in all its extent and completes his promise to his posterity.

We are often faced with choices in our life. They are determined by our true inner priorities. By imitating Abram, in his humility and disinterestedness, we will learn the faithfulness and wisdom of God and we will discover different paths, richer and more secure for faith, with Jesus at our side.

Many choices may seem contrary to our immediate interests ; in the long run, however, they often turn out to be positive and useful to our spiritual progress. But they are an exercise of faith especially if we have, like Lot, exceeded the limits in which we were placed !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)