Genesis 32:22-32 for Sunday, August 3, 2008

Translation:
(22) And he arose that very night and took his two wives, two maids his eleven children and he crossed the ford of Jabbok. (23)And he took them and crossed the wadi and that which belonged to him. (24) And Jacob remained apart and a man wrestled with him until dawn. (25)And he saw that he was not prevailing over him and he struck him in the hip socket and dislocated Jacob's hip as he wrestled with him. (26)And he said "Let me go for it is dawn." And he said "I will not let you go unless you bless me. (27)And he said to him "What is your name?" and he said "Jacob." (28)And he said "Jacob will no longer be your name, but Israel for you persisted with God and with people and you prevailed. (29)And Jacob asked and said "Now tell me your name." And he said "Why do you ask for my name?" and he blessed him there. (30)And Jacob called the place Peniel because "I saw God face to face and my being was delivered." (31)And the sun rose as he passed through Penuel and he limped upon his hip. (32)Thus the children of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh upon the hip socket this day because he was struck Jacob's hip socket in the sinew of the thigh.

How many times have we all wished that God would answer our prayers in obvious ways? Wouldn't it be better if God would just call you up on the telephone? Wouldn't it be easier if God would meet you in the mirror with the answers to your questions?

I've often thought this. To be honest, I am a little jealous of Jacob. He gets such awesome encounters with God and I somehow wish my own encounters were this dramatic. Jacob wrestles with God. Who among us hasn't? Jacob wrestles with God and comes away as a different man. Who among us hasn't?

Though I wish that I could see God "face-to-face" as Jacob did (what must that have been like?!), I know that my own encounters with the holy have been just as transformative. Christians have this tendency to talk about a life of faith as if it were a walk in the park with Jesus. Jacob's story proves that it doesn't work that way. A close and intimate relationship with God can sometimes cause you to walk away, not only changed, but maybe even a little disabled.Jacob walks away from Peniel with a limp. He is not the same person. He has a new name, and he is disfigured.

It works that way in the life of faith sometimes. Anyone experiencing a call to ministry knows that. How do you explain to your friends and family that God "told" you to go into ministry? There is a part of that calling that cuts very deep and feels a little painful.

How do you suppose Mary made out after discovering she was pregnant prior to marriage? Sure, the story seems to have a happy ending, giving birth to the Savior and all, but how do you suppose her life was changed? Imagine how she explained to her friends and family that God had chosen her to bear a special child. Maybe she was just a little disfigured too.

What about Moses, who received a calling from a burning bush to go face the strongest government in the region with the demand to let the slaves go free. Is that the course he imagined his life taking?

The story of Jacob wrestling with God always reminds me that the life of faith is not for the faint of heart. Frankly, it's hard and it hurts a lot. It means wrestling with God and walking away changed, and maybe not in the way you wanted to be changed.

It's been a while

I apologize to any regular readers that might actually be out there for the lack of posts. I will try to post again next week. It is just that ministry has been keeping me busy and I try to make sure my real life ministry comes before the virtual ministry. If you want to see what's really been keeping me busy, bring your kids to VBS this week! :-)

Matt 11:28-30 for Sunday, July 6, 2008

Translation:
(28)Come to me all who labor and who have been burdened and I will refresh you. (29)Take up my yoke on yourself and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. (30)For my yoke is good and my burden is light.

What a Scripture, huh? And convenient that it is the Scripture right before July 4th. Who among us isn't ready for a break?

It's an interesting invitation. When Matthew wrote these words, it's likely he had in mind the religious baggage and burdens the Scribes and Pharisees carried. It's hard saying what exactly Jesus had in mind. The "yoke" in the Hebrew Scriptures usually refers to servanthood, and since Jesus was familiar with those scriptures, that's probably what he was talking about.

The "yoke" though? How is that restful? How is that a relief? Sounds like work to me! Well, truth be told, it is. But, it's a much better load than any other "religion" we force on ourselves. Like that "religion" that tells us we need to work 26 hours a day. Or that "religion" that tells us our life won't be complete without a boat. Or the "religion" that tells us we'd be better off walking the dog Sunday morning with our Starbucks. Or how about that "religion" that says bigger is always better?

Compared to these societal "religions," Jesus really is offering relief. Following Jesus means you don't have to conform to society. You only have to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself. Sounds loads easier than what our society would have you believe doesn't it?

So, do you really need to work 26 hours a day? What would happen if you didn't? Do you really need that boat? What would happen if you didn't buy it?