Left Behind Forever

The two men (angels) said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city that belongs to you: get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-laws. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in–law thought he was joking. Genesis 19:12-14 NIV



Harry R. Truman, owner and caretaker of Mount Saint Helens Lodge, lived with his sixteen cats on the mountain for fifty years. He neither knew nor wanted any other life. So, when officials commanded him to vacate the premises, he dug in his heels. At eighty-three years of age, no one was going to tell him what to do. He believed the lodge was protected from a potential eruption because it was one mile away from the volcano. He also knew of a tremendous forest of trees that stood as a barricade between him and the volcano rim. Unfortunately, his belief was wrong. On May 18, 1980, the north side of the mountain erupted and covered his beloved lodge with 150 feet of ash and debris. Sometimes we have more to gain from moving than staying put.

 Harry, who loved his little piece of heaven, refused to believe the danger. Lot’s sons-in-law had the same mind-set. They laughed at him thinking he was kidding when Lot insisted they move. They refused to heed the danger. Angels finally grabbed the hands of Lot, his wife, and his two daughters. The young men stayed behind. As you read this story, don’t you feel the urgency? I want to reach into the book and grab these cavalier, young men and say, “Fools, get going. You’re going to die!”

 God often picks us up and gets us out of danger, and we don’t always know what the danger might be until much later. If you are struggling with not wanting to move, consider the larger picture. There might be something treacherous in your path if you stay. Your children might mix with the wrong crowd or your husband’s dream job might be deleted. Overwhelming heartaches may insert themselves into your life as a result of staying. A move isn’t always a negative. God may be protecting your whole family, like He tried to protect Lot’s family.