Looking Back

The story of Lot and his family running away from the destruction of Sodom is a well-known story.  Sodom was an evil and corrupt city and God decided to destroy it.  Lot lived in Sodom and even was a judge at the city gates. Angels came to the city and told Lot what was to happen.  The only righteous people found in the city was Lot, his wife, and two daughters.  If there had been only 10 righteous, God would have spared the city.

Lot and his family ran from the city, but they had been told not to look back.  As they fleed, Lot's wife turned around and looked back at Sodom.  The word for 'looked back' in the Hebrew means to consider, show regard to.  She didn't just look back to see what was happening, but she was considering the loss of her past life.  She regarded Sodom as a great personal loss.  She enjoyed her life there with people who were rebellious against God.  Her heart still yearned for her former life and God turned her into a pillar of salt.

We live in a city of Sodom.  This world is our city of Sodom.  A city full sin, corruption and rebellion against God.  This world of sin calls us to come and join its debauchery.  Immoral sex is considered normal.  Lying is rampant and you can not trust anyone's word.  Violence is in the news every day.  Hate, racism, adultery, blasphemy, dishonor, cruelty, and every kind of evil is found in this world we call home.

Each of us is called out of this world by God and we are not to look back.  Our home is with Jesus Christ, and we are to start living a saintly, heavenly life now.  We are to look forward to our eternal lives with God.  A life free from the bondage of sin and full of the blessings of God.

Do not look upon anything in this world with eyes of envy or desire.  Do not grasp anything from here to hold and keep.  Keep your eyes on the future. This world is our past.  All that is here is worthless.  It will all rot, decay and pass away.

Jim Elliot knew this truth.  He gave all in this world and looked only to the future glory God had prepared for him.  He said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."