Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy 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 (The Message)
As I read this scripture yesterday I was convicted by the Holy Spirit regarding my short-term appetite! How many times had I taken steps to satisfy that short-term appetite, only, thankfully, to be convicted by the Holy Spirit, and nudged back on to God's path for my life. How many times have I looked for the quick fix to life's many challenges, the quick and easy answer. Only to learn time after time that the quick fix is not normally God's fix!
Rather, God is interested in helping us to live our life with the lifelong gift he has given us. Tests come along in life, and God wants to see what choices we will make. These tests are a shake-up of sorts.
'The phrase, 'one last shaking' means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered' Hebrews 12:27 (The message)
Thankfully for us today, we don't have to take these tests on our own. We have Jesus, 'who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's - a homicide that cried out for vengeance - became a proclamation of grace.' Hebrews 12:23,24 (The Message)
What timely reminder as we start a new year. A reminder that Jesus is a proclamation of grace, available to us 24/7. Let's make a choice to do 2014 accepting Jesus as our lifelong gift.
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