Decisions

Every decision has consequences!

In Genesis 19:36 we read:

"Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father."

When we read that verse, we may think, "How did Lot get to this place in his life?!?!"

I can answer that question with one word: Decisions.

At that point, we may look back to Genesis chapter 13 where we find:

"Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other." Genesis 13:11

However, I would like to suggest that Lot's decision to choose the plain of Jordan was affected by someone else's choice; a choice that directly influenced Lot's decision here in Genesis 13.

To begin with, ask yourself, "Why did Lot choose the plain of Jordan?"

To answer that question, we must look at Genesis 13:10:

"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar."

All the plain of Jordan was "well watered every where." It just made "economic" sense for Lot to make that choice; to make that decision. After all, Lot was a herdsman; he had "flocks and herds." (Genesis 13:5) He needed the water to sustain his business; to keep his flocks and herds alive.

However, notice one tiny little phrase, in Genesis 13:10, that was used to describe all the plain of Jordan; it was "like the land of Egypt." How would Lot have known that the plain of Jordan looked like the land of Egypt?

Abram's decision affected Lot.

"And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt..." Genesis 12:14

In Genesis chapter 12, when Lot was a "younger" man and still living under his uncle's roof, Abram made a poor decision; a decision that demonstrated a lack of faith in God.

When Abram experienced a famine in the Promised Land, the land which God had brought him and his family to, instead of trusting God to take care of him and his family, he went into Egypt.

I wonder what Lot thought when he walked into Egypt for the first time, into the city of the Pharaoh, and saw all that "the world" had to offer? For years, Lot, who was an orphan and had been taken in by his uncle Abram, had been "dragged" through the desert. Now, he was seeing the "big city" for the first time and it made a definite impression upon him; an impression that was so deep that, when Lot had the opportunity to make his own decisions (in Genesis chapter 13) he said, "That's what I want!"

Parents, your decisions affect your children - for better or for worse!

That's a lesson that every parent needs to take to heart.

I guarantee that no Godly, Bible-believing parent wants their children to look at the world and say, "That's what I want."

However, that's exactly what could happen and many times it is affected by the choices - the decisions - that parents make when their children are younger. Just think about all of the decisions that you make. The list is too extensive and varied to list them all but here are a few that you may make/have made that will affect your children in ways that you never realize until years later:

• Employment - More salary or a "better opportunity" isn't always the best decision for your family.

• Entertainment - What entertainment to you allow into your home?

• Education - A charter school may certainly have "more to offer" than the Christian school but spiritually is it best?

• Church - Have you been "offended" by someone in your church? Are you contemplating leaving your church because of that?

• Extra curricular activities - Are those extra curricular activities keeping you and your family out of church?

• Marriage/divorce/separation - This, I believe, should be fairly self-explanatory.

I wish I had the time to share with you specific examples of decisions that parents have made that have affected their children. However, some could argue that no one can possibly know, specifically, how a decision, made by a parent when their children were young, is going to affect that child's decisions when they are older.

I will agree with you for this reason:

We are finite.

We cannot possibly know the future and know the effect that our decisions will have upon the lives of our children and upon their decisions as an adult.

That is why it is so vital that, before we make decisions, that we seek wisdom from He Who is infinite;

• Who knows the beginning from the end;

• Who knows exactly the consequences of each possible decision that we could make;

• Who knows how each consequence will then lead to further decisions and so on!

It's really quite mind-boggling when you try to think about it!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

If you are being faced with making a decision, et me encourage you to take some time to meditate upon Proverbs 2:1-9.

Notice verse 9:

"Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path."

Yes, every decision has consequences; they will affect your children. That it is why it is so important that you allow God to direct your paths; that is why it is so imperative that you seek God's wisdom before making those decisions.