“Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed at Schipol airport in Amsterdam”. These are the words that would many hear, as they begin a new life in the west. Wherever the destination, there is a steady exodus of Sri Lankans leaving a country ravaged by war.
Many call it a “bad situation”, while others say of their country, “there’s no future here”. Some, leave in fear of their lives, while others fear the political uncertainty. Some proclaim “we’ll be back when things return to normal” while others are going out “for the children’s education”.
There are many Christians among those who are leaving. They are not immune from the desire to leave a debt-ridden and blood-soaked country. The only difference is that in their case, they are convinced that it is God’s will for them to leave Sri Lanka.
In the past few months, we have being evaluating our plans to return to Sri Lanka, especially because many Christians seem to be convinced God is calling them out. We have found that job offers, immigration openings are not developments, that necessarily come from God. We can easily mistake interpreting circumstances as God’s leading. Especially during a time of conflict, uncertainty and fear, our own desires can get ahead of God’s.
The story of Abram & Lot in Genesis Chapter 13 reveals a lot of light on the issues involved in taking decisions of this nature. In this passage we can draw out three major characteristics of unspiritual decision making.
1. Illusory Sight (vs. 10)
“Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt toward Zoar”
Lot had a problem and he was offered a solution. He could go east or he could go west. Naturally, the first thing he saw was the well watered plains. He rationalised his decision. He had a large herd to feed and this was the obvious choice of a place to go. We could even call him selfish in his decision, because his only concern was getting the best for himself.
When living in Sri Lanka, we see the attractive features of life in western countries, the peace, the progress and the smooth operation of day to day life. This is in contrast to the daily hartals, school and university closures, overcrowded buses and rising prices, that one has to live with, in Sri Lanka. Many people who desire to live in a developed country, will correctly find that work is rewarded more, life easier, peaceful and more prosperous.
Like Lot, who had to think of his large herds, flocks and tents, we too can rationalise, that our children, our security and peaceful coexistence are important and therefore justify our decision to move to a developed country. By choosing to move by a rationalising sight and not by faith, will only lead us further away from experiencing God’s continuing Grace.
2. Fading Sight (vs. 11)
“So Lot choose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out towards the east. The two men parted company.”
The other characteristic of Lot’s decision was that it lacked spiritual counsel. In the rush to seize the opportunity that was given to him (vs. 8), he did not seek the Lord, neither did he seek the advice of Abram, a righteous person.
Unlike Abram who came from the altar and rested in God’s direction, when he made the offer, Lot’s only thoughts were of himself. It was a hasty decision, in which he considered only his material gain. He had not thought of the spiritual implications. By getting closer and closer to the cities in the plain, Lot was in reality, getting further and further away from fellowship with God’s chosen servant. He was also leaving the work that had begun through Abram. Lot did not have the vision of eternity that Abram had. The priority of staying on the land had eluded him.
Some of the saddest sights we have seen in recent times has been how some of the very gifted students from abroad have spiritually dried up amidst the pressure of work, the lack of sound biblical teaching and meaningful Christian fellowship. The peer pressure, the adjustments of a new culture and loneliness can bear a heavy toll on one’s walk with the Lord.
3. Short Sight (vs. 12)
“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.”
Lot made his decision based on his immediate need. He did not employ foresight to figure out what would happen in time to come. In this verse we see him having moved near Sodom. Then in 14:12 we find him living in Sodom. In 19:1 he is a city official in Sodom! Unknowingly, he was gradually drawn right into the very heart of Sodom.
Although Lot saw the sinfulness around him, he could not resist being attracted to the great city. He could not help the city either. We read in 2 Peter 2:7,8
“Lot righteous man, distressed by the filthy lives of a lawless men, (for that righteous man living among them day after day he was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard).”
Lot was too proud to turn back and to reverse his decision. In spite of how he felt, he carried on regardless of the way in which it was affecting him. Only when the second generation was getting to be affected (19:6), could he be coerced to leave Sodom. But even then he hesitates (19:16) and is still too proud to go back to Abraham.
We need to be discerning of the evil around us. Many Christians in Sri Lanka are totally surprised by the recent turn of events. Over the years they made no attempt to see the structural evil that was so apparent and the brewing of violence. But now that it’s manifestation is visible, they panic and are fearful.
Conclusion
There is nothing exemplary in the life of Lot. Yet he is referred to as a righteous man with righteous soul (2 Peter a 2:7,8). In modern terminology Lot was a Christian. But he wanted to be something else also. Lot was a person whom we could call a hyphenated Christian; one with a double identity. He was not happy with being a righteous person irrespective of the circumstances in which God had placed him. He wanted the ‘good’ life as well.
Abram’s actions however, stood in sharp contrast to Lot’s. This is best seen when we compare verses 10 and 14.
Lot looked up and saw ……. (vs. 12)
The Lord said to Abram…….. “Lift up your eyes…and look…..”
The striking difference here is that Lot and Abram looked at the same land, but saw differently. Lot looked out of selfish desires, saw only the superficial glamour, he made an unspiritual decision, exercising no foresight. Unlike Lot, Abram’s actions came from fellowship with God (vs. 4). He rested in God’s character and did not panic as he allowed Lot make the choice (vs. 8). Abram had clear priorities (of staying in the land-vs. 12). By doing this Abram allowed God to show him through God’s eyes.
Lot ended up in a cave, afraid, having lost his wife and his possessions and committing incest with his daughters. Abram, on the other hand lived to bear the titles, ‘friend of God’, ‘father of many nations and an example of a man of great faith.
When Christians tell us they want to leave Sri Lanka, what can we say? We can, and should, challenge them to think through the decisions they have made. Have they considered the moral and social climate that they are going to? Have they considered the problems and solutions prayerfully and with impartial counsel? Have they clearly recognised what it is that is really attracting them? How is it going to affect their spiritual growth? Is it only to satisfy immediate and self-centred needs, rather than eternal goals?
It was Jesus himself who warned, in Luke 17:32, “Remember Lot’s wife!” He said, “Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”
Calgary, Alberta 20 February 1989