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Genesis 25:27-34
The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
Additional Scripture References: Genesis 33:4-8, Genesis 33:9, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Is it wrong to be content? Is it wrong to be ambitious? While there’s nothing inherently wrong with either, there is a tension between the two. Esau and Jacob’s relationship gives us a glimpse of this tension in scripture. Esau, being the firstborn, became heir to the family’s birthright. Jacob, being the second in line, did not carry birthright blessings. Esau’s appetite and Jacob’s discontentment led them to make a comprising trade. One willing to give up everything for momentary satisfaction, and the other stealing what was not rightfully his. Both fundamentally believed “I want more” and “I need more.” In the same way, we make unfulfilling trades when we believe we need more from God to step into His promise.
Both ambition and contentment hinge on desire
The story of Jacob and Esau gives us a picture of the power of appetite. When we get too hungry, it can be tempting to give up the thing we want most for the thing we want now. As Esau gave way to his appetite, he gave up his birthright — privileges, blessing, and inheritance that were given to the firstborn son. Our heavenly father has a birthright for us. As we say no to an appetite that will never be satisfied, we find contentment in the only one who truly satisfies our souls.
God has a plan for our lives that is known to him and a mystery to us. Jacob felt that he needed more in order to do what God called him to do, and he took matters into his own hands to get there. While worldly ambition tells us to cut corners, Godly ambition leads us to trust God’s way as we long for everything he has planned. In the middle of our hunger to do more, we can trust that God doesn’t make mistakes. He lays the puzzle pieces one at a time, giving us exactly what we need every step of the way.
Worldliness with contentment is great loss, Godliness with contentment is great gain. As we daily surrender to God we are reminded everything we need and everything we want is found in Him. Just like Jacob wrestled with God, we too are in a fight of faith. Instead of wrestling with man, wrestle with God. Wrestle to trust Him more, to know Him more, to follow His way. Godly ambition begins with doing what God calls us to, believing whatever we need, He will provide.
Meditate on the words of 2 Peter 1:3.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Need a midweek reset? Join us every Wednesday at VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District in the Prayer Room for an incredible hour of prayer starting at 12PM. Make it part of your weekly rhythm!
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
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Make Thanksgiving special for a family in need by serving at our annual Thanksgiving Bash, a morning of distributing hundreds of meals to families in our community and watching teams compete for the VOUS Bowl Title in our spirited 7-on-7 flag football tournament.
As a Crew, fill up a Meal Kit this week and bring it to VOUS Miami Gardens or to the Thanksgiving Bash and serve together!
To donate a meal kit online, click here
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 11:00AM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Start your Thanksgiving with fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! We’ll see you at the starting line!
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Date: Thursday, November 27th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
On Sunday, November 30th we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to our SoMi, City, and Miami Gardens Locations after the 6pm Services! RSVP and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!
Date: November 30th
Time: 7:30PM
Locations:
VOUS Miami Gardens
17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS City
6101 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33127
VOUS SoMi
6767 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143
To RSVP, click here
Sow a seed of faith and invest in legacy Sunday, December 7 at our annual Bricklayers Offering.
For more information, click here
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
