~ Not Living For the Moment~
January 29-February 04, 2007

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12

I’ve been reading this week the famous story in the Bible about Jacob and Esau. As you know, the punch line of this magnificent Sunday School story is that Esau sold his valuable birthright to his brother Jacob simply because he was hungry and Jacob had a warm bowl of stew to offer, all be it at a very high price. Talk about a one-sided deal! Esau was willing to give up a tremendous amount of money, power and family authority…all for a meal.

One of the biggest catch phrases of our society is that “You’ve got to live for the moment!” We hear phrases like “If it feels good…do it” and “Buy now…pay later” that sometimes cloud our thinking and decision making. And while I would agree that Jesus Christ calls every believer in Him to the “abundant life,” that doesn’t always mean doing what “feels” right at the time. I don’t know about you…but there are times that I desire things “in the moment” (like Esau) that aren’t God’s best for me, and if left on my own without God’s guidance…I can make self-focused decisions that will not bring about His best. The more I read and study God’s Word, the more I see that God wants me to learn patience…but I really want it right now as the old saying goes!

Esau gave away everything for a meal…King David for sensuality…Samson for the affections of his wife…Judas for money…Peter for “momentary fear” when confronted during Jesus’ crucifixion weekend, simply to name a few.

But here’s the good news that we should never forget…God still uses fallen people even after some of their biggest mistakes in life if we will simply admit that we’ve stepped out of God’s plan...and commit to following His ways…not our ways. The best definition of “Living in the moment” is when we ask this question before any major decision…“Is this (decision) what God would want me to do?”