Many people are attached to the past, even the distant past. Sadly, they become prisoners of the past, become irrelevant to the present, and become hopeless about the future, eternity. Lot’s wife was one, who could not flee the city of Sodom that was judged by God. Her attachment to the past made her turn back and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26) Lord Jesus reminded his disciples not to be bound by the past and to become like her. (Luke 17:32)
Forget the past: Remembering and forgetting are common in the lives of all people. However, what a person chooses to remember and chooses to forget is based on his/her spiritual life. Those who love the Lord, choose to forget wrongdoings, failures, humiliation, hurts, defeats, and even success. But remember the life lessons from those. Paul chose to forget the past. (Philippians 3:14-16)
Forsake the past: Many cannot forget as well as forsake the past. Sentimental attachments disable them, and they cannot move forward. Embracing New Life means the old life should be detached, forgotten, and forsaken. (II Corinthians 5:17)
Foresee the future: Lot did not have an eternal vision as Abraham had. Knowing God, and His promises, Abraham looked forward to the eternal city, whose designer and builder was God, and embraced it in faith. (Hebrew 11:10) Paul also focused on the higher or upward call in Christ. Perhaps, Lot did not have that kind of glorious, eternal vision, and sadly failed to teach his wife and daughters also. Hence they were soaked or bound to the culture of that time.
Forward march: Lot, his wife, and daughters were called out to be delivered from death. Abraham’s prayer was answered by the Lord. Lot was not willing to go, lingered longer, and was forced to leave. Even if he does, he wants to be nearer to the disaster zone. (Genesis 19: 16-20) Sadly, he lost his wife, and two daughters, their mother.
Fatalistic choices: The two daughters made Lot drunk and had sons through him, whose descendants became Moabites and Ammonites. (Genesis 19:30-38)
Do I march forward or backward?