“Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite.  You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing-but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.”                             Hebrews 12:16-17 (MSG)

I read these verses this morning as a part of my devotional reading.  The words leapt off the page for me today.  What an amazing warning… especially for our culture.  We, who want everything now… a microwave generation, if there ever was one.  The writer of Hebrews would certainly re-iterate this message to our American culture today.

We are so quick to move, when God’s word tells us to “be still” (Psalm 46:10).  We are quick to believe that we would be better off in another situation, job or place.  Notice the word situation… for many that means a new marriage, a new lifestyle or other radical changes.  We are always trying to make our own way, rather than trusting the one who knows us best.  God’s plans for us are the best… “While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best.” (Hebrews 12:10 MSG)

My encouragement is to trust God through all the various seasons of life.  Maybe you are in a winter season, where everything appears to be dead.  Remember with spring comes newness of life.  Don’t quickly trade your winter, which is simply preparing you for God’s lifelong gift, for a temporary appetite suppressant.  Not only will you regret the decision, you will also have a much longer climb to the top.

Now if you’re reading this and think… I blew it a long time ago, the truth is, you are in a great part of the journey.  You have come back to life and God is wooing you back to place where He can complete what He started.  Consider the story of Jacob and Esau as older men, being reunited.  God blessed Esau as well as Jacob.  It may have turned out differently than originally intended, yet ultimately, God is always faithful to His promises.

If you already have a list of regrets, the best encouragement I can give is stop adding to it.  If you’re in a valley of decision, really consider your next move carefully.  You can never go back and your next move forward may be the difference between God’s Lifelong Gift and His faithful companionship through countless repercussions.  God loves his children and disciplines us as such.

“My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either.  It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.  God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?”

Hebrews 12:5-8 (MSG)