By Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew
Columnist
Social media can make you feel as if you have not accomplished anything. It is so easy to question your abilities and if you are moving in the right direction. Even if you are going in the right direction, you can easily begin to measure yourself against the achievements of others. Comparison is dangerous because you don’t know what others have gone through to get there. You are only seeing a piece of the entire picture. Instead of focusing on what others are doing or getting caught up in what they want you to see, begin to recognize the gifts God has placed within you. Recognize that there is a path for you but until you uncover who you are and why you are here, you will easily find yourself frustrated and looking back at what was or what could have been.
You can become misled by what is appealing, has the most likes or comments, but find yourself lost if you seek the path that works for others instead of finding the path God has uniquely for you. The Story of Abraham, Lot, and Lot’s wife is a reminder of what happens when we focus on what glitters but isn’t gold. Genesis 19 is about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was Abraham’s nephew. A little background on Lot: In Genesis 5, Lot and Abraham had to separate because of a dispute between their shepherds. Abraham allowed Lot to decide which land he wanted. The land Lot chose was near the Jordan River which the Bible states were “well-watered.”
Lot was a wealthy man because he benefited from the favor of Abraham, his uncle. Instead of choosing Canaan, which is what God promised, he went for what was the easiest land to occupy. Sodom and Gomorrah were different from Canaan. I would venture that in its freedom and flashiness, Lot was celebrated because of his wealth. He even sat at the city gate which was a place for those in power. Lot’s willingness to abandon what God promised for the flash ultimately cost him…a lot. I wonder if Lot’s confidence was more in his ability and wealth than God who opened the doors for him. Otherwise, his response might have been different.
When God decided to destroy the city, Lot was able to grab his family and escape. Yet, once again, Lot was thinking about the immediate and not able to see what God had for him and his family. The angel tells him to flee to the mountains and instead, Lot requested to flee to Zoar. Zoar in Hebrew means “small.’ Not only was the town small but also could in fact, represent Lot’s thinking. That morning, “Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19: 26) Even when told not to focus on what was behind them and move toward what was ahead, she got stuck. Lot’s wife is a reminder of what happens when we look back instead of remaining focused on where God is leading us.
If we aren’t careful, our desire for immediate gratification is passed on through our lineage. The small-minded thinking even went beyond Lot, his wife, but to his children. His daughters, instead of trusting God for a mate, also went too far (Genesis 19: 30-38) and took matters into their own hands. The mess that we begin in our quest to be finally accepted can result in quick decisions that have far reaching consequences. We never know what people go through to get what they have but although Lot had accomplished much, he was not able to maintain it because of the decisions he made. Realize that what God has for you is yours.
You don’t have to find the quick path, run with the folks who you believe will make it happen for you or sacrifice your sanity to get what belongs to you. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.” (ESV). You do not have to figure it out or get over on people. Your gift will open doors for you especially when you allow God to guide you and bring the right people into your life. When you try to do it on your own, you end up getting side-tracked and sometimes stuck because it wasn’t for you. There is enough out here for all of us. No need to be threatened or jealous. The answer to finding success is “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33). Don’t allow social media to be your gauge on God’s plan for your purpose.
Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is a Buckner International Board Member and currently serves as Vice President of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas. She is the author of three books and the host of a podcast for women, The Tapestry.
