When I was a young Christian I use to wonder why Abram allowed Lot to pick first and choose the fertile, well watered plain when he was the one who deserved it. After all he was called by God to journey to another land. Lot was Abram’s nephew, and he was invited along. Riding on Abram’s blessing, he too prospered to the point that their shepherds were fighting. So why let Lot get first choice?
As a more mature, but still a long way to go Christian, I now understand. Abram didn’t need to claim his rights. He had seen what God had done so far and completely trusted God to provide in this situation. Abram had already been mightily blessed,(even though he hadn’t completely trusted God and lied that Sari was his sister, not his wife, but that just goes to show you how forgiving God is) because Abram was “ very rich in livestock, silver and gold” (v. 2).
Not seeking his own will, he let Lot choose. Abram was assured that God would work it out. “And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants] forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you” Genesis 13: 14-17).
I have a bit to learn from Abraham. Unfortunately, I am a person who likes to claim her rights, especially when I perceive big companies and corporations have done me an injustice. Now there’s nothing wrong with trying to right a situation, but it’s the way in which I use to do it. I’m trying hard this summer not to be pushy and demanding, though it’s difficult.
Just the other day I was annoyed that I didn’t have phone access and had to use my cell phone minutes to contact the cable company. At first I was annoyed and short with the customer service, when I finally reached a live human being, instead of a million voice prompts. Beside the phone issue, I hadn’t had wi-fi access for four months. As time marched on trying to resolve the issue, I grew more impatient and irritated. Then I remembered what the Lord showed me about attitude and my speech in the beginning of the summer (See post below).
I quickly changed my voice and tried to be much sweeter and kinder. Things started to move along better, and I got connected to technical support Level 3. For over twenty minutes we tried to resolve the issue but couldn’t, but I had victory. I was no longer angry. We decided that the technician would call me back later because I had to leave to bring my husband to an appointment. Needles to say, he later fixed it and connected me to the billing department as I requested. Once again I got a little upset, but then remembered to calm down. After about fifteen minutes, and my compliments to the customer rep, I received a $150 credit, four times as much as I expected!! God did a work in me and my better attitude literally paid off!!
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