Your Lot In Life Meaning

1. Accepting Your Lot In Life
2. Creating Meaning In Your Life
3. Your Lot In Life Meaning
4. Accepting Your Lot In Life
5. My Lot In Life Meaning

Last week I attended the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Houston. One point was brought home during one of our evening events by a friend I had only known in Social Media circles. We had never met in person. Yet we run in the same circles. We work with a lot of the same people. We belong to some of the same organizations. However, the fact is…we had never met in person.

As I was walking into the event on the first day I heard someone yell my name. Of course, I looked up. I pulled my face away from the ubiquitous smartphone in my hand. Calling my name was a friend I had only known on Facebook and LinkedIn. This was a fortuitous meeting and one that I was very glad happened.

Answer: Lot was the grandson of Terah, son of Haran, and nephew of Abram (Abraham). He was likely born in Ur of the Chaldeans. Lot’s father Haran died unexpectedly, and so Lot was taken in by the rest of his family. At some point, possibly soon after Haran’s death, Lot’s grandfather Terah decided to relocate his entire family to Canaan. DEFINITIONS 1 1 someone’s general situation in life, especially when this is not very good Miss Wilkinson was never satisfied with her lot in life.

• Lot definition is - an object used as a counter in determining a question by chance. How to use lot in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of lot.
• The meanings of lot as a plot of land & as a great many came much later & have nothing directly to do with your lot in life 'Lot' can also refer to Lot from The Bible, the grandson of Abraham.

Which is another thing to consider when evaluating your LOT in Life … Eyes Up!

I should add this as another point in the 8 Tips for Trade Show Success … Eyes Up & Open.

Which means … Pull your eyes away from the electronics in your hand and seek out the humans within your view and purview. You never know who you might run into … or who might recognize you from your Facebook or LinkedIn profile pic.

He paid me a very kind compliment

A few nights later we were at another event. One that I had a hand in arranging … it was a Post WPC BBQ where 20 or so folks got together to enjoy each others company while winding down from the conference. As we were chatting he told some of the folks around the table…some I knew before the conference and some I had just met that night…that even though we had just met for the first time in person that he has a LOT in me.

And he went on to explain that LOT means Level of Trust.

He said that because of the people we know in common, and the efforts he’d seen from me in the groups we are both involved with, and because of the things he’s seen in Social Media circles that he knows he can trust me. That I had built a Level of Trust with him.

I was flattered and floored by such a compliment. Trust is very important to me. I want to be known as someone who is trustworthy in both my personal and professional endeavors.

I assume this is true for everyone. However, as we all know there are some untrustworthy people out there. I hope that by reading this blog post this far you are not in that camp and that you too want people to know you by your deeds and that they can trust you to do what you say.

Is your word your bond?

People want to count on you to get stuff done. Can they?

If you say you are going to do something…Do you?

Even if it means you work late into the night or spend more time and effort than you initially expected?

• If yes, your LOT will continue to rise.
• If all you you do is find excuses for why it didn’t get done your LOT will drop … perhaps precipitously and in some cases permanently. (see Bring Solutions … Not Excuses).

Commitments Reflect Upon You.

Make sure you fully understand what is being requested before saying yes.

For people like me this is hard. I’m a pleaser. I like to help people. I like to say yes.

However, if you have worked with me for any amount of time you know that I will get whatever I said I would do done…even if it means working longer than expected. Also, if you know me you know that I may ask some difficult qualifying questions. Don’t be offended. Be happy I didn’t just say no outright. Because I do believe that you can Say Yes and Get Ahead.

So, Is Your LOT up to snuff?

If not…get on it.

• Be realistic is what you commit to.
• Ask tough clarifying questions to insure you understand what is being expected.
• Then execute and deliver on time…or early.

Your perceived LOT depends on it!

Note: This will be a series of three posts. The next one will be about LOI…your Level of Intent. And the last one will be about LOA…your Level of Accountability.

Also, in case you are wondering who I am speaking about … it’s Dr. Petri Salonen. Thanks Petri for the compliment and thank you for imbuing me with your personal Level of Trust. I will cherish it like a Seal of Approval.

Author:

Jeff is a veteran in the Enterprise Content Management industry. Over the past 20 years he has worked with customers and partners to design, develop and deploy solutions around the world. Jeff is currently the Director of Strategic Alliances at Winshuttle. He has worked for Microsoft, FileNet (IBM), K2, Captaris, Open Text, Kofax and Kodak. He speaks and blogs about ECM and the Intersection between Social, Mobile and Cloud Computing.

Jeff is an expert in the Enterprise Content Management industry. He brings over 20 years of Channel Sales, Partner Marketing and Alliance expertise to audiences around the world in speaking engagements and via his writing. He has worked for Microsoft, Kodak, and K2. He is currently consulting with Microsoft and partners to drive Community Engagement and Alliances. Follow him on Twitter @jshuey or on LinkedIn: in/JeffShuey

“Well, I can’t do anything about my situation. . .it’s just my lot in life.”

When I heard that statement. . .I wanted to shout out.

Are you kidding me?

Do you realize how spiritually ignorant and harmful such a statement is?

Are you listening to yourself?

Do you understand the words you’re sowing into your future? They will either bring a mega harvest of blessing or a crop failure?

When someone says. . .it’s just my lot in life. . .it’s a statement of resignation and self-pity. It’s an excuse for why a person is. . .where they are.

Saying your current situation is just your “lot in life” is designed to gain sympathy or express frustration. It’s fodder for the demon hordes to run wild with.

I’ve heard well-meaning, God-fearing Christians use this expression as a self-justification as to why they’re not doing better in life.

Saying something is: “just your lot in life” is a justification for limitation and ineffective stewardship.

People who seek this free pass from effective stewardship often cite Psalm 16:5-6 as the scriptural basis for their lot in life. . .of staying where they are.

Psalm 16:5-6

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

According to dictionary.com the 21^stcentury meaning of the word maintain is:

“to keep in existence or continuance; preserve; retain”

Literally, it means to hang onto what you’ve got.

In examining Strong’s Concordance you find the Hebrew word for maintainest is tamak (H8551) and it has quite a different meaning.

“to grasp, support, attain, lay hold of, to be held, to be seized”

I think it’s clear that “to grasp. . .attain. . .seize” gives a different impression of the word.

Let’s go further. . .

According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for lot is gowral (H1486) and it means:

“lot, portion, recompense, retribution”

I’ve discovered that people tend to focus on the last part of that verse. . .and not the first part.

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup. . .”

If you are maintaining. . .it’s your inheritance from the Lord. . .and is most certainly unrestricted.

Here’s the New Living Translation of Psalm 16:5-6 which says:

“Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!”

Does that sound like limitation to you? Of course, not.

And just for the record. . .your lot in life. . .is not to live in an overcrowded housing complex or where you have to duct everything a car drives by.

Read carefully, the words of the Message Bible translation of Psalm 16:5-6 which says:

“My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!”

Seven reasons your lot in life is more than you think.

First, your choice is of the best.

Interestingly enough, the word choice appears in the King James Version of the Bible a total of 23 times. In twelve of those verses the word choice is the Hebrew word mibchar (H4005) which means:

“choicest, best”

If having the option of choosing the best in life. . .why in the world. . .would you settle for less than the best. . .or what you perceive to be your “lot.”

1 Corinthians 12:31 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all--love].”

Does it sound like God wants you to settle for. . .less than His best. . .as your lot in life?

Once again, I don’t think so.

Second, the choice is yours. . .not anybody else’s.

1 Corinthians 8:9 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Only be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].”

Your options of choice are crystal clear.

Deuteronomy 11:26 in the New Living Translation says:

“Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse!”

Clearly, the choice is ours.

Growing up. . .your parents made choices for you. But there comes a point in time. . .an age of accountability where you become responsible for the choices you make. . .either good for bad. Truthfully, they’re also. . .life or death decisions.

Deuteronomy 30:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“[The Choice of Life or Death] “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach.”

Your choices are all predicated on your obedience to the Word of God.

Deuteronomy 30:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.”

Finally, Proverbs 2:11 in the New Living Translation says:

“Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”

Third, you must always put God first.

Proverbs 3:4-6 in The Living Bible says:

“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

God will. . .the Scripture doesn’t say. . . “might, could or should”. . .the Scripture says that when you put God first. . .He WILL direct you and crown YOUR efforts with success.

Psalm 90:17 in the New Living Translation says:

“And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!”

When we put God first. . .never doubting His word or His promises. . .He will show His approval of our faithfulness by making our efforts. . .the things we put our hands to . . . successful.

Putting God first. . .means not doubting His promises. If you’re facing what appears in the natural to be dire economic circumstances, have faith . . . put God first.

Putting God first. . . means that regardless of job status. . .God will come through for you when things appear to be hopeless.

Putting God first . . .means just that. . .honoring Him for who He is and what He’s done and is doing in your life.

Putting God first. . .means standing your ground against every demonic assault against you, your family and your finances.

Fourth, God must be your only God.

Exodus 20:3

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

If money becomes so important that it messes up your priorities . . .then it’s a god . . . it can cause a person to ignore not only the true God but family, friends and other things . . . that offer true value.

Please notice that I said money “can” cause us to ignore what should be our first love . . . I didn’t say that it “will” cause misplaced priorities.

The choice is clearly ours to make based on our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father . . . we will either seek Him or the idols of this world.

Many seek money or other idols in search of what’s missing in their lives… that which can only be satisfied by a personal relationship with the Lord. Once they find God, their priorities are most usually straightened out.

Personal relationships are sacrificed when people worship money. It is sad, indeed tragic, to say but we have aborted babies because of money. . .we have placed our children in the care of strangers because of money and the things that it buys.

Psalm 115:4 says:

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.”

There is still much truth in that scripture that applies to men today. When money becomes an idol. . I can tell you. . .God is grieved about it because He knows too well the lasting consequences it can cause to everyone involved.

Psalm 106:36 says:

“And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.”

I just finished reading all 119 verses in the King James Version of the Bible that deal with idols. I can tell you without equivocation that any idol that replaces your Heavenly Father is like making a death wish.

Revelation 21:8 says:

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Bottom line, always put God first.

Five, God has chosen you.

John 15:16 says:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

When the scripture says that we’re to “bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” does that sound like He just wants us to accept our ‘lot’ in life? Hardly.

This is especially true when you consider the last part of the verse which says:

“. . .that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

So if your Heavenly Father. . .is willing to give you whatever you ask Him for. . .does that sound like He wants you to accept your lot in life as some reason to not do have anything or do well? . . .not really.

Here’s the really great news. . .when we’re productive for the Kingdom. . .God will give us whatever we ask of Him.

What an offer. . .you’d have to be a hamburger short of a happy meal to not take advantage of this life-changing offer.

Leviticus 20:22-24 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“Obey my laws and teachings. Or else the land I am giving you will become sick of you and throw you out. The nations I am chasing out did these disgusting things, and I hated them for it, so don't follow their example. I am the LORD your God, and I have promised you their land that is rich with milk and honey. I have chosen you to be different from other people.”

God has chosen you to be different from other people.

Sixth, you will receive a house and a yard.

God not only wants you to own a house. . .but houses.

Deuteronomy 6:11 says:

“And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full.”

You may be thinking. . .yes, but Brother Harold, I lost my home due to foreclosure or I’ve been evicted from my home because I couldn’t pay the rent.

Don’t fret about past loss. . .embrace your future gain.

Nehemiah 5:11 in Contemporary English Version says:

“You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.”

Let’s go a little further in Nehemiah to 9:25 in the Contemporary English Version which says:

“They captured strong cities and rich farmland; they took furnished houses, as well as cisterns, vineyards, olive orchards, and numerous fruit trees. They ate till they were satisfied, and they celebrated your abundant blessings.”

Your Heavenly Father not only wants you to have one house. . .He wants you to have houses.

Matthew 19:29 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name's sake will receive many [even a hundred] times more and will inherit eternal life.”

Mark 10:30 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Have you noticed that in each of these verses it refers to houses. . .God wants you to own houses.

Now would be a good time to shout “Hallelujah!!”

Accepting Your Lot In Life

Seventh, you are made His heir.

Romans 8:16-17 in the Amplified Bible says:

Creating Meaning In Your Life

“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

You are a joint heir with Christ.

Romans 8:17 says:

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. . .”

Your Lot In Life Meaning

According to Strong’s Concordance the Greek word for heirs is klēronomos (G2818) and it means:

“one who receives by lot, an heir; one who has acquired or obtained the portion allotted to him.”

Galatians 3:29 in the Amplified Bible says;

“And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.”

The Greek word for joint-heirs means:

“a fellow heir; one who obtains something assigned to himself with others, a joint participant.”

The term heir is most frequently used today in legal documents. . .like Last Will and Testaments.

Since we are joint heirs with Christ. . .our right to an inheritance rises and falls with Jesus. The word joint literally means intertwined and made into one.

Accepting Your Lot In Life

I could go on. . .but here’s the bottom line. . .if we’re joint heirs with Christ to an inheritance. . .then what’s His. . .is ours. There is no inheritance until someone dies. And Jesus died so He could give us the inheritance that sin took away.

Hebrews 9:15 in the Amplified Bible says:

[Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance--since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement.

And that my friends, is a “lot.”

How do we claim our lot. . .our inheritance.

Romans 4:20-21 says:

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”

My Lot In Life Meaning