Have you ever wanted something even though you knew it was not good for you? Sometimes you have to choose between waiting for the best and settling for something that feels good right now. There is a story like this in the Bible! Maybe it will help to explain what I mean.
In Genesis 25 you can read the story of twin brothers, Jacob and Esau. Esau was the oldest, and because he was the oldest he had been promised a birthright. A birthright was what a father would pass down to his oldest son. It was very special. He did not have to work for it or earn it. These special promises were his just because he was born first. All he had to do was wait until the time was right.
Esau did not want to wait.
One day he had been out hunting and was very hungry. He walked into the house and asked his brother, Jacob, for something to eat. Jacob said he would give Esau something to eat right then, but he wanted Esau to give him his birthright in return. Sadly, Esau traded his birthright for some food. He got what he wanted but lost something very special.
It may not be a piece of candy or a bowl of soup, but just like Esau, there will always be something that looks better, feels better, or tastes better right now. Think about your life. What choices are you making because they feel good right now but are not good for you later?
Isaiah 26:8 says, “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” You may think waiting for something is hard, and it can be! But God promises to give you the strength to do it.
Dear God, sometimes I get impatient and would rather have what I want instead of waiting for what You or my parents have for me. Please make me strong as I choose to wait. In Jesus’s name, amen.