“Opportunity Chasing”
We all have a natural desire to feel fulfilled in our lives. We go to school to get degrees so we can get better jobs to buy more nice stuff. Some join fraternities and sororities, some build big houses, some buy nice cars, some change location…all seeking to fulfill the same basic desire…to feel completely happy and content with their lives. Unfortunately, perfect fulfillment is not found in any of those opportunities that we chase. Perfect fulfillment comes from finding GOD’s purpose for your life. This story about Abram and Lot will teach us the benefits of following GOD and the dangers of just chasing opportunity.
Genesis 13:10-12 (NIV)
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (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.
Just to set the context, GOD calls to Abram in Genesis 12:1 and tells him to leave his country and go to a land that He will show him. So Abram and Lot (Abram’s nephew) and their families leave. After going to Egypt to avoid a famine and soon leaving Egypt after an unfortunate incident at Pharaoh’s house, they entered into Bethel.
Now Abram and Lot were very rich in gold and cattle…so much so, that the land couldn’t bear them both. So Abram says to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (Gen 13:8-9)
This brings us to where we started.
Genesis 13:10-11:
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar… So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east.
Lot did what most of us would have done. He chose the land that was well-watered and had lush plains for his cattle to graze. He went after what seemed to be the most lucrative opportunity. Instead of consulting GOD, he went after what appeared to be the best choice. It just so happened that his choice caused him to settle down near a town called Sodom. As a result of his decision to settle near Sodom, he was capture in war that he didn’t even fight in. He would have lost everything but Abram saved him. Then, in chapter 19, the wrath of GOD was pored out on Sodom because of its wickedness. Lot lost his wife and was forced to flee for his life.
So how does this apply to us? Well, sometimes we think that our prosperity or fulfillment depends on where we are and what we have. For instance, the idea that in order to get a good job, you have to move to a certain city…or to be happy, you need to have some certain opportunity. In the Kingdom of God, we don’t spend our lives chasing after opportunities. Look at Abram…he knew how to go where GOD led him:
Genesis 12:1
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.Did you catch that? GOD says to “go to the land that I will show you!”
Abram always went where GOD showed him…hence he was “very rich” (Gen 13:2) and he totally fulfilled his purpose of being the “Father of the Faithful.” He didn’t travel some place to look for blessings but he was blessed with out measure right where he was. And where was he?? Well, he was where GOD “showed him” and the blessings of GOD followed him!
To you I say, GOD created you for a specific purpose. You are here for a reason…because earth needs you. And you’ll NEVER be fulfilled until you are where GOD wants you. Don’t be like Lot. Don’t try to decide your own path based on the worldly opportunities that you see. Lot saw the lush plains near the Jordan River, just like you may see the attractive job market in Houston…or the swinging night-life in New York so you think that’s where you belong. It’s possibly to get out there and lose everything…it’s possible to chase opportunity and become so surrounded by wickedness that it almost cost you your life…just ask Lot.
You can’t make enough money or have enough fun to be completely fulfilled anyway! Plus the Bible says:
Psalms 75:6-7
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
So true promotion and success don’t come from the east or the west…nor does it come from going east (Atlanta) or going west (California). But it comes from GOD. The Bible says:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Allow GOD to tell you where you should go. GOD is NOT some bully, trying to trick you into going somewhere to be miserable. Here’s what GOD does: As you get to know Him, He places desires in your heart. Soon, what He wants is what you want. Then He gives you those desires! Isn’t that cool!
The Bible says:
Psalms 23:1, 6:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Notice that when the LORD is your shepherd, goodness and love FOLLOW you! There’s no better way to live people!
Deuteronomy 28:2-3:
All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
In the Kingdom of God, we don’t have to search for blessings. We obey God, and they come upon us and overtake us!
So I want to encourage you to go where GOD leads you, not just where you see opportunities. Live your life in search of purpose. Don’t chase success, follow Christ and let success chase you.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This was such an amazing devotional on contentment, and its sad that the world is so money driven that its finding its way into our Christian community and in some cases running the programs in our churches. I was edified to read this, so thank you.
good post! it is awesome to remember that my all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving heavenly Father has a plan mapped out specifically for me. it makes me realize that my own plans are sooo trivial and small-picture.