Moving from the northeast portion of the United States to the south has been hard to adjust. My body is used to the hustle and pace of large metropolitan cites, walking fast wherever I go. Most of the people I’ve met in South Carolina are laid back, relaxed, and seem to putz along without a sense of concern or worry in the world. You would think that sooner or later this mentality will rub off on me, but not yet.
When morning came, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, Arise, take your wife and two daughters who are here [and be off], lest you [too] be consumed and swept away in the iniquity and punishment of the city.16 But while he lingered, the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, for the Lord was merciful to him; and they brought him forth and set him outside the city and left him there, Genesis 19:15-16.
Moses doesn’t use putz in the passage above. Nonetheless, Lot seems to be overwhelmed by what is about to happen, losing all of his earthly possessions. Like a student who procrastinates until the night before their tests, Lot is moving in slow motion, without any sense of urgency. Subsequently, God sends two angels to Lot to hurry up, get out of town immediately and don’t stop until you reach Zoar, the city that you hand picked.
And when they had brought them forth, they said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you or stop anywhere in [a]the whole valley; escape to the mountains [of Moab], lest you be consumed, Genesis 19:17.
Professional athletes who go on to be World Champions or Hall of Famers often credit defeat and failure as motivating forces. Based upon the words of one of Jesus’ disciples, 1 Peter 1:6-7, until you experience trials in life, you won’t reach your full potential. Jesus’ earthly brother makes a similar conclusion in James 1:2-4 as hardships develop maturity. Perhaps, I need to learn from the sons of Korah by slowing down to a putz, be still and reflect upon the God of this universe, Psalm 46:10.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 