“Anyone who has discovered who God has made them to be would never want to be anyone else.”
Bill Johnson
I recently attended a Beth Moore conference in Wichita, Kansas. She talked about how Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34) To despise means “to give little worth to something, to undervalue or have contempt.” Esau, as a first born son, was to receive a double portion of his father’s inheritance. Yet when he was “famished” or exhausted, he chose temporary relief with Jacob’s stew in exchange for his birthright.
Birthright is “any right or privilege to which a person is entitled by birth.” Christians receive a birthright or inheritance as children of God. Ephesians 1:11 says, “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to His counsel and will.” When we’re vulnerable we’re more apt to give up what rightly belongs to us for temporary relief or satisfaction.
Beth asked us, “What is our stew?” In other words, what distracts us from our birthright? This stopped me dead in my tracks and I began to ponder what keeps me from mentoring the masses. What is the ‘stew’ that prevents me from writing and speaking? She encouraged us to value our birthright, (our calling), and not let the stew distract us.
For me the ‘stew’ that smells so good are things I’m comfortable with and enjoy doing, those tasks that come easily to me. Writing requires focus and discipline, both of which are difficult. Not knowing what I’m doing, where God is taking me or what He wants me to write, often takes perseverance. Fear also has a tendency to creep in spouting off all sorts of lies, which encourage me to turn my back on my birthright. Other things which rob us of our inheritance are: a slave identity, sin, unbelief, strongholds or mindsets, hurt/offense, shame and an incorrect view of God.
Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship (adoption).” As Christians, we are adopted sons and daughters by God’s grace, based on what Jesus did for us on the cross. “Knowing our birthrights releases us from a spirit of slavery or fear.” (Beth Moore) “So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7)
Beth Moore goes on to say, “Your calling is outside of your ability to fulfill it. You either stay within the norm or step into your birthright.” This motivates me to depend upon God’s ability, not mine, to step into my birthright of mentoring the masses. How about you?
“The destiny of every human being depends on his relationship to Jesus Christ.”
Oswald Chambers
Relevant Reflections:
1. What is your birthright or inheritance of Christ that He’s asking you to step into?
2. What is the ‘stew’ which distracts you from your birthright?
3. What specific steps do you need to take to show you value your birthright?