First, Make Sure You’re Really Dying

And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:34)

You’ve probably heard the story of how Esau gave away the ranch for all the generations of his children and his children’s children because he was really, really, hungry.  (You can read about it in Genesis 25:29-34).

I remember as a teenager working in a concession stand (sort of like a food truck except it was a permanent structure) during an annual Summer Campmeeting. 

Back in those days the tabernacle was open air and there were loud speakers placed throughout the campground.  So we could hear when the preacher was wrapping up and be forewarned to begin preparing for the assault of hungry congregates who would soon be lining up for after-service “fellowship food.”   

My manager was a sly old fox. 

As soon as the altar service began he would instruct us to put onions on the grill and pretty soon the smell of those onions would be wafting down to the tabernacle.  People would smell those onions and pretty soon they were starving…or at least felt like it.

I wonder how many people sold their “birthright” and left the service too soon because of the smell of those onions.

But I digress…

The point is, you can feel like you’re dying when you’re not really dying.

Or put another way, like Esau, it’s one thing to save your life, but it’s another thing to give your life away.

Don’t be too hasty in throwing in the towel.  What you’re going through right now may feel like it is killing you, but it’s probably not. 

For certain, one day you will indeed pass, but what it more likely now is that this too shall pass.

The ONE THING for today: Don’t make deathbed decisions unless you know you’re really dying. And don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary difficulties.

⁶ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6