“The Esau Syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite.” Eugene H. Peterson

In a world of instant gratification, beware of the Esau Syndrome found in Hebrews 12:16. Though the story of Jacob and Esau is the well remembered account of how Esau traded his birthright as the first born to immediate satisfy his hunger with a bowl of porridge, his later anguish is not so well remembered but is a great example to share with young people. As Papa often reminded our children, you need to consider the consequences of your actions when making decisions. However since we will all make unwise decisions in our lives, fortunately we live under Grace and can be forgiven by God while still having to live with the consequences of these decisions! When contemplating this syndrome, I am also reminded of the wise saying, “though we are free to make our own choices, we are not free to choose the consequences”!