3 THINGS TO KEEP YOUR ROAD TRIP ON COURSE

DON’T COMPARE YOUR ROAD TRIP TO SOMEONE ELSE’S

JACOB + ESAU

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23

“Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.[e]) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:29-34

“Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a 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

“I just overheard your father talking with your brother, Esau. He said, ‘Bring me some game and fix me a hearty meal so that I can eat and bless you with God’s blessing before I die.’ Now, my son, listen to me. Do what I tell you. Go to the flock and get me two young goats. Pick the best; I’ll prepare them into a hearty meal, the kind that your father loves. Then you’ll take it to your father, he’ll eat and bless you before he dies. Genesis 27:7-10

“But Mother,” Jacob said, “my brother Esau is a hairy man and I have smooth skin. What happens if my father touches me? He’ll think I’m playing games with him. I’ll bring down a curse on myself instead of a blessing.” 13 “If it comes to that,” said his mother, “I’ll take the curse on myself. Now, just do what I say. Go and get the goats.” Genesis 27:11-13

HOW FAR ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO GET WHAT YOU WANT OR TO GET THE BLESSING SOMEONE ELSE HAS

TRUST THE ROAD TRIP PLAN THAT THE LORD HAS UNIQUELY MADE FOR YOUR LIFE

DON’T MAKE YOUR ROAD TRIP AN IDOL

LEAH + RACHEL

When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,[b] for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” Genesis 29:31-32

EACH WOMAN BEGAN TO MAKE AN IDOL OUT OF WHAT THEY LACKED

THEIR LACK TURNED TO BITTERNESS

DON’T USE THE WRONG NAVIGATION SYSTEM

CHOOSE THE RIGHT NAVIGATION SYSTEM MEANS INVITING IN PEOPLE WHO ARE WISER, WHO HAVE BEEN DOWN THE ROAD AND SUCCESSFULLY GONE BEFORE YOU

CHOOSING THE RIGHT NAVIGATION SYSTEM MEANS BEING INTENTIONAL + TRANSPARENT WITH THE LORD

JONAH

(KEYS)

PRODIGAL SON + OLDER BROTHER

“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:24

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ Luke 15:25-30

THE SAME GRACE THAT KEPT THE OLDER SON OUT OF TROUBLE IS THE SAME GRACE THAT BROUGHT THE OTHER ONE HOME

THE OLDER SON WAS JUST AS LOST AND ESTRANGED AS THE YOUNGER SON, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS LIVING IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HIS FATHER.

YOUR NAVIGATION IS OFF WHEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS OFF

Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, pedaling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Matthew 6:6-13

BEING IN HIS PRESENCE REALIGNS OUR PERSPECTIVE AND FORTIFIES OUR NAVIGATION SYSTEM

APPLICATION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?
What areas of my road trip am I comparing with someone else's?
Am I making the “destination” an idol?
Am I using the wrong navigation system?