After Lot separated from him, GOD said to Abram, “Open your eyes, look around. Look north, south, east, and west. Everything you see, the whole land spread out before you, I will give to you and your children forever.
Genesis 13:14-15(MSG)
In this chapter we see Abram, later named Abraham who was very wealthy with lots of possessions. His nephew Lot who also had much possessions was staying with him and there were also other people in the land where they dwelt. Therefore, the space wasn’t enough for them which led to quarrels arising between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen. Seeking to dispel the disputes, Abram asked Lot to be the first to choose where to go because there was much space away from where they lived.
Lot made his choice and moved away. After Lot had left God tells Abram to look as far as he could see in all directions over the whole land for He was going to give it to him and his children forever.
It was after Lot left that Abram clearly heard and saw what potentially belonged to him. To put it another way, after clearing the clutter Abram got clarity in his vision. It’s no coincidence that the name Lot means covering or veil. A veil or covering prevents you from seeing clearly or even blinds you. While Lot was still with Abram it was a clutter – a lot of confused disorderly things scattered all over Abram’s space. It resulted into a “not enough” “squeezed in” limited resources” kind of life. This led to quarrels over the seemingly limited resources.
One meaning of clutter is; unwanted echoes that interfere with the observation of signals on a radar screen. When there’s a lot of confused disorderly things scattered all over the space in our life, the result is interference with and interruption of our vision, and mission in life. Clutter also impedes movement and effectiveness. Clutter in our lives includes; trying to please everyone, guilt, stuck in the past, pessimism (always expecting the worst outcome), stranded in the future, regrets, offence, too much leisure and entertainment, involvement in too many things or projects, burdensome and barren friendships and associations, meddling in other people’s lives and businesses. As we pray trusting the Lord to help us we can get rid of all this mess and so progress in our vision and mission in life.