“Your shade tree of love can be a welcome reprieve for those seeking God.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today –April 19, 2023
It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. Luke 17:28-29, 31-33
Not all relationships are equal. To appraise something or someone is to assign value based on worth. A relational appraisal is critical to following the Lord’s will and being the best investor in those who influence us the most. Generally speaking, as we encounter individuals in life, we experience “one-time” relationships, “sometime” relationships, and “lifetime” relationships. If we fail to seek God in discerning an alignment of principles and values, we run a high risk of unwise decisions. If we confuse a one-time relationship with a lifetime relationship, then we are set up for trouble. For example, we constantly reminded our four daughters, not to date or marry men who will become a ministry (no values alignment) but rather pray for men with whom you can do ministry together. The wise appraisal of relationships contributes to healthy relationships.
Jesus reminds us of the sad story of Lot and his wife. Though blessed by uncle Abraham as a mentor in how to manage wealth and follow God…Lot chose to chase after relationships that seemed more exciting and adventurous. Maybe in the short term they were, but Lot drifted from God, moving toward the sinful influence of Sodom. Along the way, he married an unbelieving wife who advanced his interest in worldly pursuits. Foolishly, Lot traded his most valuable relationship with his uncle for relationships that influenced him away from his love of God. Jesus says empathically, “Remember Lot’s wife!” Why? Probably several reasons, but for sure, her heart looked back, longing for sin, one who refused to look forward to the Lord’s refuge. Lot wrongly appraised the value of his relationships and, as a result, suffered relational pain and loss.
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).
What is your process to appraise the value of your relationships? Perhaps you start with those closest to you…family and friends…and invest time with those who love God and love you. A beginner’s faith needs very clear boundaries, so like a tender plant, they are protected from a hail storm of unhealthy relational influences. As their faith grows and matures, relational boundaries are still necessary, but their influence becomes like a live oak tree planted by the water with a canopy above equal to the broad and deep groundedness below. Your shade tree of love can be a welcome reprieve for those seeking God. Wise relational appraisals protect from sin and provide true love.
Wisdom and love place the highest relational valuation on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. Human effort and ability are unable to properly express how truly blessed we are to have 24/7 access to our Savior’s forgiveness, our Father’s love, and the Spirit’s guidance. But Jesus gives us a clear command on how to dismiss inferior relationships and worship the superior relationship. “Remember Lot’s wife,” our Lord says! Her heart was bent toward a relationship with sin, not a pure, loving relationship and refuge with God. She looked back, like a professed believer in Jesus going back to his old life, instead of looking ahead to the Lord’s love. A life that wisely appraises relationships with their proper value experiences Christ’s abundant life.
“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom and discernment to wisely appraise the relationships in my life so I value them properly with my time, money, and influence, through Christ’s love, and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Whom do I need to stop spending time with, and whom do I need to start spending time with?
Related Reading
Genesis 2:18; Proverbs 13:20; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:8
Worship Resource
The Slays: You Promised
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