Remember Lot’s wife. — Luke 17:32
If you ask me about the history of our nation, there’s a good chance you will bring me into a long conversation. I enjoy studying where we came from, the founding of our country, and the people who shaped it. But if you ask me what I had for dinner yesterday, there’s a good chance I will struggle to remember.
Some things are easily forgotten. Others are unforgettable.
When Jesus says, “Remember Lot’s wife,” He gives one of the shortest commands in Scripture. Just three words. Yet behind those words is a moment that carries deep significance.
Lot and his family were being rescued from a city under judgment. They were told clearly not to look back. But as they fled, Lot’s wife turned to look behind her — and in that moment, everything changed.
Her glance backward was more than curiosity. It revealed something of the heart.
We often read that account and focus on the physical act of turning. But Jesus tells us to remember her because of what that moment represents. Lot’s wife had been delivered from danger, yet something in her still longed for what she was leaving behind.
Looking back can reveal where our affections remain.
There are times in our spiritual lives when God calls us forward, away from habits, mindsets, relationships, or seasons that are not good for us. We may step forward physically, but internally still cling to what is behind us. Nostalgia can make what was harmful seem appealing. Familiarity can feel safer than obedience.
Jesus’ words are not merely historical. They are cautionary. Remember Lot’s wife.
Following Christ requires forward movement. It requires trust that what God is leading us toward is better than what we are leaving behind. Looking back with longing can stall growth and divide our hearts.
If there is something in your past that still pulls at your affection, something God has already called you away from, pause and consider this gentle warning. God’s direction is always guided by His mercy. When He calls us forward, it is for our good. Is there something behind you that still holds your heart more than it should?
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About Another Well Ministries
Another Well Ministries exists to help people slow down, listen deeply, and encounter God in the ordinary places of life. Through devotionals, reflections, and spiritual resources, we seek to create space for faith to be formed with honesty, grace, and hope.
To learn more about the heart of the ministry or explore additional resources, visit anotherwell.org.
