I began this project asking a lot of “whys.” Why is this story in the bible? What is the greater lesson? If Sodom was so terrible, why did Lot’s wife look back when she was told not to? Was she feeling loss for her home and two daughters? Was it fear or simply forgetfulness? What is the reason for the metaphor? Now I see Lot’s wife all around me.

Lot’s wife has whispered in my own ear. She has urged me not to remain stuck in the past, fixated upon what-ifs. She has told me to let go of “things.” She has warned that if we allow it, the past can eat away at our soul and keep us stuck or frozen. And while we must be cognizant of our past, both individually and collectively, we must be able to evaluate it honestly. The past can be informative, educational and inspirational OR it can be negative, limiting, even deadly. I have come to understand how our ability to interpret or utilize the past is dependent upon how we envision our future. Lot’s wife has taught me to keep my eyes always looking forward and to endeavor to become my better self, both humanistically and spiritually. She reminds me to approach my future armed with hope and faith knowing that my experiences and knowledge of the past will make me stronger, now, in my present. It our decisions and actions, taken in the present moment, that matter most. Simply put, every moment becomes an opportunity to choose life or death.

I have come to truly appreciate Lot’s Wife, the nameless woman. Perhaps being nameless is the point. It makes it easier see ourselves in her place, facing her future. She has taught me how the past, present and future are all inextricably linked as vehicles for spiritual progression or regression. Metaphorically, we can step into or out of the pillar of salt as we choose. We can move forward to our future or remain frozen and motionless in the past…a very big lesson indeed.