3. Stand up on your own

Abram obeyed God and left for Canaan the moment God asked him to. But one thing was very interesting to me and that is that Lot went with him. God instructed Abram to leave, not Lot as well. He promised greatness to Abram and not to Lot. But Lot went with him. Now the Bible doesn't say whether Lot decided to go along on his own, or whether Abram convinced him to come along.

"So Abram departed as the Lord instructed him and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot and all his wealth." Genesis 12:4, 5

But what we know for sure is that Lot was in on the ride. And boy did he cause a lot of problems. Once they found a land to live in in Canaan, arguments broke out between Lot's herdsman and Abram's herdsman because there were too many animals for the available pastureland. Abram then talked it over with Lot and suggested that they separate. He did the most amazing mature thing and gave Lot the first option to choose where he wanted to stay. And sure enough Lot took the best land for himself, the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley. And if that was not bad enough, Lot choose to live close to the immoral Sodom. And because he lived there he was in the middle of a battle amongst the kings and he was captured, along with everything he owned. Poor Abram had to go and face an army in order to go and rescue him. After that Lot returned to live in Sodom and we all know how that turned out for him. Abram had to plead with God to rescue Lot and his family before He destroyed the city and all they had. God listened to Abram and rescued them, but Lot's wife was so enticed with the city, she looked back when it was destroyed and turned into a salt pillar. Lot caused a lot of problems. I wonder sometimes if Abram was not sorry for taking Lot along with him.

Sometimes God asks us to do certain things, but then we are too insecure to do it by ourselves. We then convince someone else to join us which in the end turns out to be a mistake. How many stories do we all hear in our modern day living of partnerships that turned sour? I have heard several and I am sure you have too. It is actually very seldom that the start up partners stay together through it all.

I once wanted to organise a Christian ladies' morning, because I knew God wanted me to. I was obedient, but so insecure that I tried to get a partner to do it with me. I easily found one that just as excited as I was about the event, but a month or two later she disappeared from the scene. Then I found an organisation to join me in organising the event. They were very excited about it as well, but withdrew two months later, with no real reason. Then I found another lady that said she would do the marketing of the event for me, but without even notifying me she didn't even pitch for the event. I was crushed, but it soon became clear to me that God wanted me to do this on my own. And shaking and alone, I was obedient and it turned out to be a big success. He wanted to teach me a valuable lesson. Don't delegate tasks that He gave specifically to you. If He thinks you can do it, you can. If He thinks it will be a success, it will.

Next time you feel led to do something, whether it is starting a new business, or organising something for the Lord, or whatever the case may be, ask the Lord whether you need a partner or not. Ask Him for confirmation and divine intervention if you need someone by your side, otherwise, do it alone. It will work out much better and be the success it is meant to be. God never makes mistakes. He is your Creator and knows what you are capable of. If He says you can, you can.

Father please give me the courage to stand up on my own. I am scared and I don't know if I am capable of doing this on my own, but if You believe in me, that is enough. Please give me the confidence and the guidance to step out further. Thank you Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen

1 comment for “3. Stand up on your own”

  1. Gravatar of HenriHenri
    Posted Thursday, 16 April 2015 at 4:53:53 PM

    If it is within God's Will He will enable you.

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