Monday Morning Grind is based on the Monday morning men's group I started about three months ago. We meet every Monday morning at the Market Place Starbucks “around” 10 a.m.

Based on Genesis 13

J and I sat there, and it was time to make a choice. To our left were Baja Fresh, Togo’s, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and a Blockbuster. To our right were a couple of dumpsters in a barren area that resembled a parking lot. It was a parking lot, but for the sake of this study, it was a barren field. The benefit of the left choice was obvious with fresh food, plentiful drinks, and culture. The benefit of the other choice was not abundantly clear, but to choose it would be to choose to rely on God for all provisions.

In Genesis 13:1-18, Abram gave Lot first choice over which direction to go. Lot chose the lush, well watered land close to the city. Was Abram being generous in allowing Lot to have first pick? Was Lot being greedy?

I don't think Abram really gave much thought to which way Lot went. In a way, Abram was taking the high road in giving Lot first choice, but really, he just wanted the bickering between their workers to end. Ultimately, Abram knew God would provide for his family and flock no matter which way Lot chose to go. Abram had unwavering faith.

Later on in Genesis, Abram obeyed when God told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abram stepped out in faith even though God had previously told him that through Isaac his descendants would outnumber the grains of sand. Abram must have figured that God would go so far as to raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise. Abram believed God could and would do the impossible.

Similarly, I don't think Lot gave much thought to his choice either. He was obviously younger than Abram and likely did not take all things into consideration when he chose to relocate his family and possessions. Let’s just say that the older I get, the more I realize how much I don’t know—and the more foolish I see some of the decisions of my past.

Getting back to the Baja Fresh versus the field, there was not any room for growth or the addition of storehouses on the developed side. By contrast, the under-developed, barren side could be improved and built upon. The possibilities were endless. No matter what, the worker would have to be patient, work hard, and rely on God in order to see the blessing.

Which would you choose?

As J succinctly put it, "One road was wide, the other road narrow." A wide road is safe and comfortable--or so it seems. However, traveling the narrow road seems risky and requires faith… but who knows to where the road will lead?

One pastor friend of mine told me that a lamp for the feet or a light for the path does not infer one is able to see the entire stretch of road on which he or she is traveling. God's word lights what is right in front of us. We can’t always see very far ahead. The lamp for the feet literally lights only a couple of steps at a time.

I'm the type of person that likes to walk a well-lit, pre-cut path--nevermind cutting a new path in a foreign land... in the dark... I have been a Christian for most of my life, but that kind of faith is radical. That said, I need to be watching what is lit before me lest I miss something. As my faith increases, so too will the amount of light being cast before me. Over time and by God's grace I will be able to see a little further ahead. In the meantime, I will continue walking the direction God has called me—and it aint toward Baja Fresh.

That fact is, God isn't asking any one of us to sacrifice our child. He's just asking us to trust Him... to let Him be our King... to have faith... to be content wherever He has us...

We can let the "Lots" in our lives have first pick, too. God is our God and He will never leave us or forsake us.