“Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So, Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” Genesis 13:10-13
Back in the day while living in Haiti, my truck didn’t have GPS, OnStar or even a AAA roadmap of Haiti tucked in the glovebox. I had to rely upon the Haitian driver to take the wheel when we went off the highway and onto the rural roads. The same was true while driving in PAP the first year, before I knew my way around as there were very few street signs.
I read the above verses from Genesis and the story of Abram and Lot seemed familiar in a way to my not having a map in Haiti. Quite often, I didn’t know where to go without one. When Lot was making a decision about which land to choose, he didn't consider God as a factor in shaping his future; Lot was in control, he didn’t need a map. He made all his calculations based upon the potential influences of nature and humanity, never considering that God might alter the world on his behalf. He looked in the Jordan River Valley and saw only lush, green vegetation for his flocks and rich, wholesome soil for his crops. That had to be the place.
Lot failed to consider the potential danger represented by settling among the twin cities that occupied that valley. Lot never once asked God for His guidance; a real guy-thing not asking for directions when the roadmap blew out the window a few miles back. Consequently, he placed himself, his family, and his future in jeopardy as he headed for the ‘good life’.
Why not ask God for directions? Trying to navigate without a map in rural Haiti and being limited to what you can see and hear in your immediate area will bring you to a river without a bridge. God sees and knows everything that we cannot. God wants to steer us through this dangerous landscape where we live and bring us safely to our destination.
There are men, women and children living in PAP today that are seeking directions towards safety and peaceful existence for tomorrow. We pray with them to seek directions from God and then follow His lead. Father, lead us to do likewise.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay