
Sharon Wilson is learning not to dwell in the past but to look forward. Lot's wife reminds us to cling to hope, not what’s behind.
Last week would have marked my forty-first anniversary. Since my husband’s passing two years ago, the pain of these significant dates has softened, yet it remains. Losing a loved one is a profound journey, a delicate balance of remembrance, grief, and the call to move forward in faith.
Recently, I found myself reflecting on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, particularly the poignant moment when Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. This account in Genesis 19 is a powerful reminder of the dangers of longing for the past over embracing God’s promise for the future. Rather than focusing solely on disobedience, this story invites us to consider the spiritual significance of our gaze — whether we look back in sorrow or forward in hope.
Looking forward in hope
In my own grief and nostalgia for my marriage, it can be all too easy to become fixated on what was, allowing despair to cloud my vision. It may feel as though God has closed the door on my future, but this perspective is a distortion of His truth. Jesus reminds us through Lot’s wife that clinging to the past can rob us of the abundant life He desires for us today. When we hold onto grudges, we hinder the flourishing of relationships. When we carry guilt, we shackle ourselves from the freedom that Christ offers.
Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt not out of divine punishment, but as a vivid illustration of the perils of turning away from God’s path. To live in the past is to experience a spiritual death in the present. Jesus calls us to remember her, urging us to keep our hearts set on Him and the future He has in store (Luke 17:32).
Remember the wife of Lot
Since becoming a widow, I’ve grappled with feelings of despair and uncertainty about my path ahead. Yet, I believe the message is clear: no matter where we are in our journey, God is not done with us yet.
I pray that you, too, will discern where you might feel stuck in the shadows of the past. May you be filled with the strength of the Holy Spirit to take steps forward in faith. It all begins with the spiritual reminder from Lot’s wife — let us not look back, but press on toward the hope and promise of our Lord.
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Copyright 2024 Sharon Wilson
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About the Author
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Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson, a recent widow and mother of two adult children, writes and speaks about healing, surviving, and thriving as she journeys through life. Sharon has worked as a freelance writer, Respect Life coordinator, and teacher, as well as in advertising, fashion merchandising, radio personality and youth advocacy. She shares about God’s healing and the great gift of being Catholic at SharonAgnesWilson.com.
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