Articles
What Matters Most?
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2)
Our culture is not fond of waiting or being patient. The speed of our internet has to be the fastest. In reality, it can never be fast enough. Things have to be instantaneous! It is the mentality of—I know what I want, and I want it now! Likewise, we can struggle with relying on God being our Provider. Will He take care of me? Our minds and hearts tend to battle between the physical and the spiritual. At times we fail to make the right choices. In the end, what do we allow to win?
There is a real need to be filled, but with what? We may see something enticing, and without giving a second thought, we’ve succumbed to our temptations. Our eyes and stomachs continue to desire various things that we think can appease our appetites; however, we either find that we want more or are left feeling emptier than before. How often do we deliberate the consequences of our actions? Do we play out the possible outcomes? Would it be so bad to pause for a moment?
You begin to wonder if Esau had an impulse problem. He did not seem to fully grasp the severity of his impulsive choices. One, Esau did not value his birthright (cf. Gen. 25:30ff; Heb. 12:16f). Second, the decision to marry two pagan wives, which caused great sorrow for his parents (cf. Gen. 26:34f). Finally, due to his rash judgments, he lost out on the blessing due to him (cf. Gen. 27:36). Jacob, his brother, was no angel either and was deceptive in how he dealt with his brother. God revealed that their struggle would continue to last (cf. Gen. 25:23). Ultimately, the ones that God would choose to bring about His Savior would come from Jacob’s progeny (cf. Gen. 49:10).
It is hard not to feel some compassion for Esau. Taking responsibility, to humbly recognizing where one is at fault, is difficult. He did not appear to have the discipline to acknowledge his part in the situation. Where Esau fell or failed, we can get up and learn. Solomon wisely wrote, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity” (Prov. 24:16). The problem lies in the refusal to learn from our mistakes. If only Esau could have focused on seeking those things that matter towards God, then his life would have turned out much differently.
Another common problem that we can run into is wanting to have a good life. One may believe that a good life is found in acquiring a massive number of things. Jesus addressed the issue of being too concerned with worldly things. He tells us to seek those things that are the treasures that will last an eternity and are of heavenly value (cf. Matt. 6:19ff; Lk. 12:33f). Additionally, He recognized that people could have love in their hearts, but still be far from the love of God. That is because they have put a higher value on the temporal over the eternal (cf. Matt. 19:16ff). Many may argue that having possessions or wealth is not a bad thing. That is correct! Wealth is not inherently evil! The issue arises when it becomes more important than God in one’s life. Too often, people will become dependent on things and feel independent from God. Riches can lead one down the path to destruction very quickly. There is never enough that one can accumulate that will fill one’s heart. True treasures in the eyes of God are to be rich and generous in godly works (cf. 1 Tim. 6:17ff).
It is easy to jump to the conclusion that those with means are happy people. Those that live comfortably with wealth are somehow the happiest on earth. Well, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Possessions do not bring true happiness! Our greatest possession needs to be having a relationship with the Lord! This is where true everlasting comfort lies!
Waiting for a reward is not easy, especially if that compensation takes a long time to collect. For those that are patiently waiting for the heavenly blessings, they will not have persevered in vain (cf. Gal. 6:9). God has promised so much for His children. Let us strive together to lay hold of those promises (cf. Heb. 10:36).
