Destiny Moves At The Speed of Your Decisions

How far and how fast you go in life is dependent on a decision or series of decisions. A decision takes you a step closer or steps away from destiny and destination.

Genesis 19:17 (NLT)

Run for your lives.

Emphasis Mine

The angel said, “run”. That was the instruction which required participation unto obedience. You can choose to run, walk, or take a stroll. Whatever the means, never forget that your destiny moves at the speed of your decisions. How you choose to implement the word received on your way to destiny will determine how fast you will get there. Many words received from the Father are very time sensitive and could be a matter of death or life. That was the case with Lot and his family.

What about Esther (in the book of Esther)? When she received news from her Uncle Mordecai that Haman had plans to alienate the Jews, one-time sensitive decision from her, altered the destiny of the Jews. Without which they would have been alienated. (Esther 3-5)

Nehemiah is another example of one who made a time-sensitive decision as well that preserved the lives and destinies of the Jews. Hearing that the wall of Jerusalem was in ruins, he made a decision to step up and coordinate the rebuilding of the wall and he did so in 52days. (Nehemiah 6:15).

When we look at the case of Naomi and Ruth in the book of Ruth, Ruth made a decision to stay with Naomi, saying, where Naomi goes, she will go; Naomi’s God and people will be her God and her people and where Naomi dies, she will die. This was Ruth’s decision and I want us to see how this time-sensitive decision birthed a lineage that will be forever appreciated.

Please do not be a victim of casual decision making. When it comes to decision making, apply the right principles accordingly. When required to run, run! When required to walk, do so and do not hesitate to take a step back either.

A decision made for yourself or on behalf of others needs to be treated with a sense of urgency and caution knowing that every life matters before our Father and the outcome of any decision may either bless a person or leave them broken.

Obedience To The Word, Moves You Closer To Your Destiny

Obedience is a kingdom key that easily aligns our Destiny Defining Decisions.

In this case, the command came to Lot, telling him what to do. God, in his mercy, grace and love have not abandoned the destiny decision making of our lives to us. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. These paths can only be straight if He is the path you are treading upon. We are told by Jesus, “I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6 NIV)”.

In scripture, for the most part, the aspect of obedience is a command, not an option. We cannot pick and choose what should work for us. When you walk on the path, remember that the path can only be straight because He is the way. Do not expect a straight path, yet walk out of Him. Both the path and the outcome of the walking on it depend on HIM. Amen.

I use these examples to emphasize the place of obedience to the word and its impact on destiny. Amen.

Genesis 19:17 (NLT)

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered,

Emphasis Mine

It was the order from the angel that will determine an outstanding destiny for Lot and his family, not otherwise. There is a medium that the Father is using to channel instructions to you for directions. In this dispensation, we have the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our helper, etc. He also uses men and women of God. He uses destiny connectors and helpers. When you understand and identify these channels, be obedient enough to yield to the instructions that come your way.

Sometimes, the word we receive may challenge our belief system. It may cause us to hesitate (as in Lot’s case) or sometimes just disobey. My encouragement to you is this when you allow God to be the reason for your rising, you can be guaranteed that he will sustain you. Purpose in your heart to do things His way; to go in His path and only then can you be sure that the outcome will bless you and glorify Him at the same time. Amen.

Your Safety And Progress In Life Depends On Your Decisions

Genesis 19:17 (NLT)

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, Run for your lives!...

Emphasis Mine

The safety of Lot and his family, in this case, is credited to the angels. Although he hesitated, they insisted on saving him and his family. It is all about decisions. When a decision is made, many wheels turn, positively or negatively. A decision brought them to a place of safety and decision was required to take them to a place of destiny. The bible says “one of the angels ordered”.

The order should not have mattered if they were not safe at that given time. Amen.

We cannot overemphasize the truth that no decision is insignificant. As previously mentioned, sometimes, the significance of a decision is sometimes only determined by the results it produces. So let’s avoid living casually, or making casual decisions thinking no one else will be affected. Most often, our way forward usually depends on our present state. Whether you are dead or alive determines whether or not the next decision will be made. So let’s live consciously and purposefully for the glory of God. Amen.

We also see that someone needs to set the pace in decision making. The desire of any parent (in this case, Father) is to see that the family and those around them are safe. Yet, the question remains, are you willing to be pace-setter? Are you willing to make destiny defining decisions? Could it be that the reason why you have been stagnant in life is that of your inability to make a decision. I believe your progress in life is dependent on one godly decision away. Purpose in your heart not to abandon the decisions of your life to others. In this case, the angels had to step forward and decide for Lot and his family. We have been given the wisdom of God through which we can learn and make godly decisions.  This is not a call for arrogance through which we undermine the influence of others in our lives but rather a call for balance, initiative, and obedience. Amen.

Distractions Are Inevitable In Destiny Defining Decisions

Genesis 19:16 (NLT)

When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.

Genesis 19:17 (NLT)

...And do not look back or stop anywhere…

The objects of distraction here include,

- Hesitation, lingering, dragging of feet are all distractive strategies of the enemy to delay us from getting to where we ought to be at a given time.

-The past (do not look back).

-The present (or stop anywhere).

On your journey to destiny, always remember that distractions are inevitable. Distractions will present themselves in diverse forms, however, it is up to you to identify them and then decide not to submit to the distractions. Distractions cause delay and rob us in the process. Lot’s wife became a victim of the angel’s advice – she looked back and became a pillar of salt (vs 26).

Now, we are looking at a family here whereby, the decision made by the father (head) will not only affect him but the entire family. Yet, a form of distraction (hesitation) almost cost him and his family but the mercy of God prevailed.

Let’s tie every truth together;

Your participation is required when it comes to destiny and the driving force behind destiny is decision making. When Lot hesitated, the mercy of God intervened – the angels seized him and his family by their hands and got them out of danger. All in an attempt to rescue them and possibly get them a head start in the direction of destiny.

The Lord, through the angels, gave them a word of caution as they proceeded. “Do not look back or stop anywhere”. As much as we rely on the mercy of God in the process, always find out what your participation in the process will be. Amen!

So, although distractions are inevitable, you can be sure that you will receive help from the Lord in the process.

What Veils Your Decision Making?

The name Lot in Hebrew means “covering, veil”.

Lack of vision can be a veil.

Shortsightedness or better still, lack of foresight can be a veil.

Discomfort can be a veil.

Lack of desire can be a veil.

What else? What are those things that when you think about them, you immediately perceive their influence or lack thereof over your decision making?

Poverty?

Riches?

Lack of people skills?

What is it that when you think about, you immediately become hesitant to place one foot in front of the other.

When Lot refused to go to the mountains and preferred the comfort of a small place, even though his family was with him, I perceive beyond discomfort. I see selfishness.

Selfishness is the underlying factor for most decisions of convenience that eventually lead to failure (s) and destruction (s).

Genesis 19:17-20 (NLT)

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

“Oh no, my lord!” Lot begged.  “You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die.  See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don’t you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved.”

Emphasis Mine

Notice how the angel was concerned about the safety of the entire family but Lot was concerned about himself and no one else. Which eventually was a costly decision for him and His family.

Separate yourself from selfishness. Like we have seen, it is a veil. It will cover your view from seeing even what will benefit you as a person. You may think you are trying to isolate yourself and satisfy “you” when you undermine the presence of others. But because you are so blinded, you end up making decisions that will eventually hurt you, just because of selfishness.

Every Decision Made Is Significant

We are talking about Destiny Defining Decisions; how it affects us and the people associated with us. Amen!

When the angels finally decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, this is what happened

Genesis 19:15-17 (NLT)

At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!” When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

The angels insisted that they live Sodom and Gomorrah before the destruction and specifically told them to escape to the mountains. But listen to what Lot said;

Genesis 19:18-20 (NIV)

But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please!  Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.  Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”

 The goal of the angels was not to destroy Lot and his family. That is why they asked him to flee to the mountains before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, Lot insisted on fleeing to a small place (Zoar). Which he did and this decision which in his opinion was a “small” decision eventually became costly to him and his family.

When we introduced this study of Destiny Defining Decisions, we stated that there is no insignificant decision. Neither are there small nor big decisions. Many wheels turn when “a” decision is made, regardless of how significant, insignificant, big or small the decision is. The outcome of a decision is what determines whether or not in your opinion the decision was big, small, significant or insignificant.

On that note, I want to re-emphasize that, every decision made is significant. When advised to go to the mountains, Lot preferred the “small place (Zoar)” over the “mountains”.

Here’s our point;

-personal comfort will cause us to settle for mediocrity over excellence (Zoar over the mountains). This was the same for Elimelech, who, for the sake of food, he left Judah and settled in Moab.

-lack of foresight and vision will cause us to shortchange ourselves by not seeing beyond our immediate needs. The mountain was too high to climb at that time but Zoar was close enough to settle in. Same with Elimelech, not knowing how long the famine will last, instead of waiting for the season to pass, he preferred going to Moab with his family.

-our inability to implement instructions as received and implement them immediately will cost us. The instruction given to Lot was clear enough “flee to the mountains” – he negotiated, in order words, he disobeyed.

Who Was Lot?

LOT

Genesis 19:18-20

There are many bible characters who made decisions that affected them and their family. Lot is one of the many characters. We are first introduced to Lot in Genesis 12 when God called Abram and Abram decided to move with Lot.

Genesis 12:5 (NIV)

He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

Emphasis Mine

So much can be learned from the life of Lot, however, our studies will be focused on Genesis 19:18-20 (NIV).

But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please!  Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.  Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”

A little background of Lot’s story before we delve deeper into understanding more about Destiny Defining Decisions.

In Genesis 12, we are told that Abram left Harran with his family and Lot. Later, in Genesis 13 we are told that Abram and Lot separated. This happened because Lot, who was traveling with his uncle Abram had become very wealthy as well, with flocks and many tents. So, the land could not support both Abram and Lot’s properties and as a result, disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. A decision was made and Lot chose to go eastward.

Genesis 13:11-12 (NLT)

Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.

Emphasis Mine

Fast forward to chapter 19, apparently, Lot had moved into Sodom. We are told in Genesis 19:13 that the Lord had sent angels to destroy the land because the outcry against the place was so great that it had reached the LORD. The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah willfully sinned against the Lord.

So, this is a brief summary of the life of Lot. Stay tuned as we continue our studies together.

Who Guides Your Decisions?

Psalm 119:105 tells us that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and light to our path. Meaning, if we profess God to be king over our lives, we are in other words saying that He has the final say in our lives. By this, we mean that his word guides us in both what we may consider small and big decisions. The presence of a path tells me there is a destination and that destination could be your destiny.

Can you trust and rely solely on God’s guidance today for the rest of your life? He is willing and able to guide you. He thinks well about you and his guidance is unto abundance, prosperity, soundness and all the good and perfect gifts. His guidance is not unto idolatry, compromise, mediocrity, or ordinary.

We are not told whether or not Elimelech consulted the Father for His decision making on where to take his family during the famine in Bethlehem, Judah. One thing we do know I the outcome of his decision – his death, the death of his two sons and the resulting widows.

The unchanging faithfulness of the Father overtimes prompts me to conclude that Elimelech’s decision was not of God. For the following reasons

-Elimelech was shortchanged as a result of the decision.

-His family suffered multiple irreversible loses.

-They were exposed perpetually to idol worship and lifestyle.

-He did not see or enjoy the wedding and marriage of his two sons.

-His wife Naomi and daughter-in-law returned to Bethlehem widows.

All the above-mentioned reasons in no way reflect the character of my God. Amen.