Have you made foolish decisions in the past? Have you given up something that would turn out to be very valuable later to satisfy a short-term desire? Was it done out of laziness? Was it done because you did not want to wait? How do you feel about it now?
Sometimes we make snap decisions. Far too often they don’t turn out well in the long run. Making decisions in a hurry and with limited information can be extremely costly. On the other hand, we cannot allow ourselves to experience paralysis by analysis.
Esau made a very bad decision. He gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew. We may look at it and say it was silly of him. Couldn’t he have waited long enough to fix a meal? Therein lies the rub. He was hungry. He was tired. He didn’t feel like fixing a meal, and certainly didn’t want to wait. But it is hard to believe he would have starved had he waited another thirty minutes.
We may scoff at Esau, but we sometimes do the very same thing. Personally, I have tossed something on a shelf or in a drawer with the thought that I will put it back where it belongs later. It never seems to happen, and I spend significant amounts of time looking for it the next time I need it.
I know people who will spend their money on something that looks nice in the moment, only to experience it being cheaply made and not lasting but a few months (or less). Had they saved their money and waited until they could buy something of quality, they would be able to keep it for years. Unfortunately, it becomes about the moment, what they want, and having no discipline nor desire to wait.
There are times God wants us to wait. He is teaching us a lesson in patience. Our part is to take a deep breath…and wait. When it is the right time and if it is right for us, we will receive what we desire. This requires faith and patience. God is always teaching us. We merely need to learn.
I pray we all strengthen our faith. I pray we practice patience. I pray each one of us will look for the lessons God is teaching us and learn from him. Don’t allow the moment to overrule the long run. Be wise in your decisions. Be patient. Trust God to provide. Strengthen your faith.
Genesis 25:29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.
Marty Pressey 