Why Look Back?

Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Luke 17:32-33 (KJV)

When you seek God, are you seeking Him or what you can receive from Him? I asked a member of my Bible study group. He surely had the answer, but he was so unsure of the reason for my question that he couldn't even answer it. He knew he was ambivalent about his relationship with God. This is what usually happens to some of us: we serve God while remaining attached to our possessions and social status.

This is exactly what happened to Lot's wife. Although God favored her entire family, she could not detach herself from what she possessed in Sodom. When Jesus said, "Whoever seeks to save their life will lose it," He is not referring to those who seek to protect their lives from danger. Rather, He is referring to those who believe that their money will save them, their social value being more important than God's way. By losing everything you possess to follow God, you will be rewarded and inherit eternal life with Him.

In Genesis 19:17, the angel told Lot and his wife not to look back, or they would die. But his wife was so attached to her lifestyle and material possessions—although the Bible says nothing about this, but it is understandable—that verse 26 says, "Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Serving God means focusing on Him, loving Him with all your heart and mind, and giving up everything to follow Him. Don't let your desires guide your actions, like Lot's wife, but obey the word of the Lord, for He has much more in store for you than you realize.

May God's grace and peace be with you all.