Running to Better Things




"Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see God." - Heb 12:14

Last week I got myself in a little pickle. I took my eyes off the prize, off of Jesus, off of the real reason WHY I was doing this whole crazy 80 day program and started down a path of destruction. My hands were drooping and in a weak knee moment I gave into a temptation I had no business falling into. I know better, I knew better. But I am still human. 

"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one or sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal." - Heb 12:15-16

Ouch. Did you notice that. He mentions sexual immorality but doesn't linger there, he moves onto the story of Esau. Do you know what Esau's unholiness was? He sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. He gave up what he wanted MORE(later he begs in tears to get it back) for what he wanted NOW(I'm about to die! - "What use is a birth write to me if I starve to death.) Esau is impetuous, short sighted, lives for the moment, dramatic, high concern for comfort, driven by appetite.  He is most of us most of the time and me in that moment of weakness. I wanted to eat and drink and be merry - I was thinking more on that moment right then. What could be seen and tasted and touched. Ruled by my appetites quite literally.

BUT the people of God are NOT TO BE SO. Hebrews is very clear. We are warned not to be like Esau but to learn from his example. I am studying Hebrews RIGHT NOW I know theses things.

DON'T LOOK TO THE SHADOW WHEN YOU HAVE THE SUBSTANCE and if you look to the shadow when you have the true form - if you look to sacrifices when you have The One who paid it all Jesus - You will be disappointing. You can be certain you will not feel filled. You will not be free.

JESUS is the founder and perfecter, he is the completer of our faith!




I am so thankful for the way that God used these scriptures I "just happened" to be studying to get a hold of my heart and a couple dear friends who took the time to graciously - yet truthful challenge my thinking. I gotta wonder if Jacob would have pushed back at Esau a little more. If he would have been a true friend - How different would our world be. . .even today! The impact of THAT ONE CHOICE was HUGE. - My couple slices of chocolaty dessert wouldn't have change the coarse of the world. . . at least I don't think it would have. ;0) But is was a funk in my spirit and soul and I so much appreciate good friends who point me back to JESUS. The only place where true and lasting joy is found.

My hope - joy - peace - contentment & true satisfaction must be build on NOTHING LESS than JESUS blood and His righteousness! - Nothing of my own. That chocolate cake did not satisfy. The moment it left my tongue the joy was gone. But thankfully what truly does satisfy is ALWAYS available to me and when I fix my eyes on Him I can run to better things! 

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