A Bunch of Trees

The last few weeks have been packed full with change.

New city. New school. New house. New church. New friends. New job.

Everything I’m doing is like starting from scratch, which is exciting & a breath of fresh air. I feel as if I’ve finally found a place where I belong & can thrive in healthy ways.

And yet, I find myself struggling.

It’s funny how often I think that “new” is the answer. I believe that if I could just change something – my location, my job, my relationships, and even my hair – I could be happy. I would have the life that I wanted & feel completely satisfied. But, every time I “make it,” I’m left feeling somehow emptier than before.

Oh, how fickle we humans are.

In church today, the pastor was teaching on Genesis 13:1-11. Abram, his wife, & his nephew are traveling to the place that God has told them He had for them. They’ve never been there before, they’re not even sure where it’s exact location is, but are trusting that God will show them every step of the way. As time goes on though, Abram & Lot (the nephew) begin having issues. They’re arguing over every little thing & it becomes almost unbearable to travel together. So, they decide to go their separate ways.

Genesis 13:10&11 say, “Lot looked out and saw that the entire Jordan Valley as far as Zoar was well watered everywhere like the Lord’s garden and the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other.” (emphasis mine)

At first glance, this scripture doesn’t seem to have much significance. In fact, it seems ordinary. But, as our pastor took us through it, I was shocked to find that it had a lesson laced within.

Lot looks out over this land & sees that it’s good for growing food, watering animals, & overall successful living. So much so, it’s compared to the Lord’s garden – aka the Garden of Eden where Adam & Eve were placed. This place was the best of the best. So, why wouldn’t Lot want it, right? Isn’t it only logical to pick it as a place to settle down?

The issue with Lot’s decision isn’t that it’s lacking in logic. It’s actually the opposite problem. Lot is completely focused on his desires that he doesn’t take the time to consider what the Lord might want him to do. All he can see is a place that allows him to “make it.” He believes that if he just has this property, all of his desires will be fulfilled & he will be completely satisfied. Life will be good. But, as scripture later reveals, Lot finds that isn’t the case at all.

I’m very similar to Lot in that I have this idea of “making it.” I have a vision mind of what life should look like in order for me to consider it a success. I have my own “garden of Eden” that I want to move into.

But, if I’m honest, none of them involve following the Lord. Every desire I have is motivated by selfishness & pride. I look at things that will fulfill my desires rather than asking the Lord what it is that He wants me to do. By doing this, I only set myself up to fail & to ultimately be left disappointed.

“Making it” doesn’t really exist in reality. We never reach a point of complete satisfaction or fulfillment. We’re always searching, trying, and reaching for the next thing to sate this thirst that we have. But, the truth is that there is only one thing that can fill that space & that is the love of Jesus.

The Lord’s garden wasn’t the best place because of what grew in it. The Lord’s garden was the best place because of who walked in it.

Without God, it was just a bunch of trees.