Waypoints: Wrestling With God [Being Reconciled]

I turned 50 years old a few days ago. It seems to have arrived in about 30 years. With this mile marker comes a natural time of reflection. As I look back on my life I have a great deal to be thankful for and a few things that I wish were not a part of my history but even those have been used by God. But the thing I have done most over the past few days is looking forward, which brings forth some questions:

• What can I do that matters most?
  
• What will have the greatest impact?
• What and to whom should I give my limited hours?
• What do I need to say no to so that I don’t get distracted from the “main things”?

I want the time that I have left to bring joy and Jesus to others!
 
I really do mean the previous sentence but I have come to realize that there are so many things in the world that are pulling me away from the desire I just expressed. For instance, consumerism, stuff, popularity, being good-looking, “technology,” and a million other things are pulling at my heart and mind.
 
Even though I could spend the entire day building the above list of things “out there” that can waste the days of my life and remove my effectiveness at being God’s guy in my context, this isn’t my main concern. My main concern must be recognized as ME. There is nothing that comes my way that in and of itself has the power to force me to do anything. I am my own worst enemy and God knows that.
 
So, I would greatly benefit if I brought all this stuff and junk to God Almighty. This makes me think of a portion of our text [Genesis 32.22-32] for this Sunday. Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, is making his way through life but it isn’t always smooth sailing. Often, this is due to Jacob’s own failures and compromises but God still remains faithful. At this moment in Jacob’s life he is filled with anxiety and fear that his entire family will be wiped out because of his past deceptions.
 
What happens next is a lesson for me as I consider my life. The Bible tells us that Jacob “wrestled with God.” In verse 26 we are told that Jacob will not let go unless God blesses him. I am reminded that God wants me to be completely honest with Him and bring everything to Him so that we can “wrestle me” towards the blessing that He wants to give me that will ultimately also flow through me.
 
As I mentioned previously, the main problem in my life that causes my struggles and futility is what I see in the mirror each morning. If I am willing to humbly ask God to “wrestle with me” so that I see and do things rightly– He will! God blessed Jacob and He will bless you too. Wrestling can be quite a work out and you may even get a bit bruised as you wrestle with God but remember that the reason He is wrestling with you is to bless you and not to destroy you.

From One Blessed Wrestler to Another,
Pastor Nick