God, Which Direction Do I Go?

This is the big question everyone asks at some point in their life. You either come to some sort of a cross roads that requires a decision to be made or you just don’t know which direction to go in your life.

In high school, I remember asking God this question just about everyday. I wasn’t sure what He wanted to do with my life or which direction to go after I graduated.

I was at a crossroads.

After God asked Abraham to move his family in faith to a land He promised, Lot and Abraham came to a crossroads in Genesis 13. Verse 7 says, “quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s.” Both families were not getting along and a decision had to be made. Abraham suggested to “part company.” They were at a crossroads.

A decision had to be made. A direction had to be chosen.

In Genesis 13:10-12, both men made their decision:

10 “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. 11 So lot chose for himself the whole plain of Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.

Lot’s choice was based upon what was in his heart—Egypt. Lot chose his direction because the land reminded him of Egypt, a land that symbolizes worldliness. Lot’s heart was filled with the world’s ways and wealth. His decision was based on what his heart truly desired.

It says that where Lot lived was near Sodom. Now most people know the reputation of Sodom. Verse 13 says, “the people of Sodom were wicked and were shinning greatly against the Lord.” Eventually, Lot’s decision to move close Sodom, moved him into Sodom. Lot’s heart moved him closer and closer to what he truly wanted.

Whatever is in our hearts will dictate our decisions. Sometimes, the first question we should ask isn’t external but internal; not what but why. We must examine our hearts.

Lot chose the route that lead to worldly satisfaction, while Abraham chose the route that pleased the Lord. Why? Because faith was in his heart. And God blessed him for it:

14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.’

Lot “pitched his tents” when he arrived near Sodom, but it was Abraham who “built an altar to the Lord,”

18 So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.

Abraham had open hands towards God—He sought God’s counsel. Lot relied on himself and man’s wisdom. This decision resulted in Lot losing his entire family, while Abraham gained a family who cannot be counted.

If you seek direction, ask yourself these two questions:

1. What is the motive of my heart?

2. Have I sought God’s wisdom and surrendered my own?