“Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan... and he set out toward the east”(Gen 13:11)

Years ago, I left home as an offended nineteen-year-old, driven by the desire to prove to my father that I did not need his money to become who I believed I was meant to be.

Along with that determination came confidence that I could push through, build a future for myself, and succeed on my own terms. But only a few days after crossing the war-torn Liberian border into Sierra Leone, reality met me. I quickly realized that passion alone was not enough. Desire was not enough. Independence was not enough. A young girl with no home, no adequate skill, and no stable source of income needed more than boldness to survive in a strange land.

As I reflect on that season, I think of Lot. When Abraham gave Lot the opportunity to choose where he would go, Lot lifted his eyes and saw the fertile plain of the Jordan. It looked lush, beautiful, and full of promise. It appeared like the perfect place to build a future. Perhaps Lot saw it as his moment to prove himself. Perhaps he believed this was his chance to show that he could do well apart from Abraham. Scripture does not tell us all that was in his heart, but it does show us that he chose based on what looked good.

And that is where we need to be careful. What looks promising is not always what is safe. What appears fruitful is not always what is ordained. Lot saw green fields, but he did not seem to weigh the deeper spiritual cost of the environment he was choosing. He moved toward opportunity, but away from the covering, wisdom, and spiritual discernment that had helped shape his life under Abraham.

Many of us can do the same. We assume our intelligence, instincts, charisma, and judgment are enough to guide us well. So we make decisions first and then ask God to approve them. But the life of faith does not work that way. A surrendered life seeks God before making a move, not after.

Scripture tells us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end can lead to destruction. Lot’s choice looked like advancement at first, but later it became the source of deep pain for him and his household. What looked like a jackpot became a burden.

Following the Lord means more than choosing what is attractive, profitable, or impressive. It means choosing what aligns with His will. It means allowing Him to direct your steps, shape your desires, and define what success truly is. The safest place for your life is not where things merely look better. It is where God is leading you.

So before you choose based on appearance, ask yourself: Is this God’s direction, or just my preference? Is this decision rooted in surrender, or in self-will?

A good-looking opportunity is not enough. You need God’s wisdom.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for loving me enough to guide my steps. Please deliver me from making decisions based only on appearances, ambition, or self-will. Help me to seek You first and to trust Your wisdom above my own understanding. Teach me to choose what is right, not merely what looks good. Let my decisions bring peace, protection, and lasting fruit to my life and to those connected to me. In Jesus’ name, amen.