Hold Your Seat
How to eat when you're starving...
This summer I had the joy of traveling to Memphis, Tennessee with both of my boys. While there we visited the National Civil Rights Museum at the historic Lorraine Motel. Standing where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated made me speechless. We have been to several museums but this was unlike any we had previously visited. The very first exhibit displayed the middle passage and slaves tightly packed on ships. From there, the museum exhibits categorically traveled through time. Every display brought us face to face with the energy and emotion of the civil rights movement.
One of the most moving displays was an era accurate bus you could actually walk through. There were many open seats, yet one particular seat and passenger stood out. Near the front of the bus sat a statue of a woman ominously staring out the window. She wore glasses and a hat with an oversized bag next to her.
It was Rosa Parks. Thank God for my mom. Her quick thinking allowed us to capture the moment. She told my boys to stand next to her. Confused, they obliged and gave an awkward smile while she snapped a quick pic with her IPhone.
When they exited the bus, my oldest asked about the significance of Rosa Parks sitting in that seat.
While sharing the story of Rosa Parks with him, I started wondering about the seats that people have given up and the individuals who were affected by those decisions.
The Bible explains this concept through the story of two brothers named Jacob and Esau. A little bit of reading teaches us that Jacob’s name meant trickster and therefore his character was indicative of what he was called. Esau meant hairy which, true to form, was accurate about his body. We also discover that Jacob was the homebody who loved to cook and Esau was the tough and manly hunter.
After an entire day of hunting, Esau was extremely hungry. When he returned home, guess who was in the kitchen wrist flipping like its stir-fry? Jacob.
29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called [g]Edom.
31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”
32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
33 Then Jacob said, [h]“Swear to me as of this day.”
So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34 NKJV)
WOW!
At first glance it looks like Esau politely requested some of his brother’s cooking. But the Hebrew translation of Esau’s request was a harsh demand for food. He wanted to devour it as an animal would.
1. You’re not yourself when you’re hungry
Esau had full right to be hungry based on his day’s activities. The problem wasn’t his need. The problem was how he decided to fulfill his need. How many times have you made a bad decision because of need? It is important that we recognize our ability to make rash decisions when we are malnourished. Some people call it “Hangry”. It is the emotional/physical reaction to being in lack.
Esau spent the day hunting. Given that he was known for his hunting prowess – I believe that he caught something to eat. However, he didn’t want to wait for his catch to be prepared. Esau preferred what was quick and convenient.
That’s how temptation and trouble wins. It encourages us to want what we think we need only for us to realize we’ve had what we needed already.
In those moments of EXTREME hunger for love, attention, affection, or accomplishment – think before you eat.
2. Protect your power
Some of our greatest attributes are intangible. It isn’t the house you own, the title you carry, the vehicle you drive, or the size of your bank account that gives you your power. Your power resides in who you are and the Holy Spirit living on the inside of you. Can you be consistent with your character even when everyone else is adlibbing and changing scenes?
Truth is – we hold on to what matters. I am confident that there is some piece of memorabilia from your childhood tucked away somewhere. Why do you still own it? Deep down that item has memories and meaning to you even if no one else cares about it – you care and you aren’t letting go.
And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:34 NLT)
These last few words give us great insight into why Esau gave up his birthright for a bowl of beans.
The birthright of the oldest son had great responsibility. That distinction meant that he had precedence over his younger brothers and that he would not only receive a double portion but also become the priest of the family when his father died. That’s a lot!
So why give up all of that for a bowl of beans???
When we are careless about who we are we will care less when people take advantage of us. I heard someone express that we can’t ask for God to be a fence and still leave the gate open. Be responsible for your space. You have the ability to make a difference with what you have, who you are, and where you live.
You may not like it but you can make something of it. If the blues weren’t profitable – we wouldn’t have so many people making records about it.
Make effort to truly care about where you are and what you possess. If you give it away – getting it back may be at a price you can’t afford.
Esau gave away what should have been permanent for something that was only temporal.
Quick question? Was it/he/she worth it?
Here is my last thought
98% of people who quit will work for 3% that decided to stick it out.
Have several seats sir or ma'am!
Rosa parks’ resistance to move was not the final destination and your seat in class, your seat at the boardroom table, your seat in this stage of the marriage, or your seat in athletics isn’t the last seat you will take.
Whatever your seat is – Hold it. Your ability to remain consistent when the opportunity to quit comes around will pay off for you and those who are depending on you.
Hold your seat.
Temptation will happen whether you go to church every Sunday, just on holidays, or don’t go at all. Your defense and deliverance from temptation dwells in your relationship with God.
Our problem isn’t our needs – it is how we meet those needs. Everyone has desires – consider how you meet yours.
Choose wisely.
