Take The First Step

Reading: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5 8 Then Abraham talked it over with Lot. “This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop,” he said. “After all, we are close relatives! 9 I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I’ll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I’ll move on to another place.” (Genesis 13:8-9 NLT) Abraham and his nephew Lot had been together for a long time. They’d traveled far from their homeland, lived an adventure of faith, and God had blessed them abundantly. Now their wealth, measured mostly in flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, was causing conflict between their herdsmen because the land couldn’t support them both. Abraham took the initiative to resolve the issue and offered Lot the choice of whatever area he wanted, even though the right to choose belonged to Abraham. The conflict wasn’t between Abraham and Lot, but between their herdsmen. The truth is, however, that conflict escalates, and if something hadn’t been done, it would have spread and caused serious division. One thing stands out to me above the other lessons in this story—when conflict occurred, Abraham took the initiative to resolve it. Abraham took the First Step. Abraham could have said, “I’m the senior guy, so Lot should come to me!” Abraham could have said, “I’m God’s covenant man, so Lot and his herdsmen should hit the road!” But Abraham valued peace, so he humbled himself, he yielded his right to first choice, he trusted God. Abraham took the initiative to resolve the conflict! Oh how my heart desires to live daily with the gracious, noble attitude that Abraham had! With God’s help, I’m going to learn to Take the First Step, Go the Second Mile, and Take Second Choice! How about you, friends? Are you willing to Take the First Step, Go the Second Mile, and Take Second Choice, for the sake of peace? Prayer: Father, You know how much I respect Abraham, the man of faith, your friend. Please help me learn this lesson and develop these attitudes in my everyday life—to Take the First Step, to Go the Second Mile, to Take Second Choice. Amen!