Today’s Reading, Genesis 12-15
Focal Scripture: Genesis 13:14 “After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west,”
Moving on from people you know and are even related to is not always a bad path to take. I know in my personal life moving on from relationships in my life have been difficult in the moment but ultimately lead to greater success and clarity. I have lost friends because we did not view life the same way and had a break of fellowship. I left a ministry position because of unethical behavior and in turn lost many people who I believed were good friends. In all of these instances the immediate break was hurtful but the relationships were not healthy. Then after the relationships were severed, God showed up in ways I wasn’t expecting.
In today’s reading we see that Abram and Lot did not always get along. It was so bad that the people that worked for them in the field didn’t get along either. So what did they decide? They decided to part ways. One went one direction and the other the opposite direction. However, what happened next can go missed if you’re not looking closely at the text. Right after they separated the Lord spoke to Abram. It took a broken relationship before the Lord spoke and gave clear instructions.
So what does this mean for us as believers? It means that we need to evaluate the relationships we have in our lives. Are they healthy or are they causing us to miss out on God’s voice? I can tell you that friendships I thought were healthy did much damage to my walk. Why? Because the relationship was not Christ focused. Even the ministry position I left hindered my walk with the Lord. I can now see that my passion for ministry was too much for that pastor and the church. Now, I am not saying I am better than any person but I am saying the relationships were doomed from the start. Ministry fills my cup. Integrity is a balm to my soul. Passion for students and the word spurs me on in my spiritual walk. When I don’t get those things my cup runs dry. This is why I left that ministry position.
I was not aware of that until I parted ways. I mourn the loss of friendships and relationships. However, I hear from God more clearly now than I have in a very long time. So I challenge you today to make bold moves in your relationships. Find out if they are hindering you from hearing the Lord speak. It may cause some temporary pain but it will grow your faith more than you will ever understand.
Not every friendship lasts or works out in your life. It is important to find that out before it drags you down and stifles your walk. It is ok to not be on the same page spiritually with a person or even a group of people, but it is not ok to allow it to ruin your fellowship with the Lord.
After you separate from bad friendships have a listening ear for the Lord.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Genesis 16-18
