Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20
25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
This weekend there was apparently a late night of wrestling in the boys cabin because one of our newer students wrestles in school. He was taking on not just our students who have been coming for a long time but also those from another church in their cabin. He lost all 12 matches. But I celebrate the fact that it was pretty clear that he gave up wrestling with God this weekend. I am pretty sure we got a couple more young people joining the family of Christ and he is one of them. I kinda hope that he has a limp that will help him remember what God did in his life this weekend.
This gets me thinking back on this weekend and yesterday's post about making room for God I remember the things that I fought with God about as He has worked in my heart and my life to grow and become more Christ-like. There have been many things that I have had to reprioritize and get rid of to make room for God. And doing it was not always something that I did quickly. There were many times that I wrestled with God. And He had to touch my life in some way that made me stop wrestling and start responding. The one thing that I have wrestled with God about that has had the greatest impact on me was the one that the fight did not end until He spoke to me. It was the only time so far that I heard a clear distinct voice in my head and I knew it was God. I am glad He didn't throw out my hip but it was like a punch in the gut. He had been telling me over and over again that He wanted me to do something and I kept acknowledging what He was saying and that I knew He was right. Then I would tell Him that I didn't think the timing was right. So when the timing really was right (His timing) He had to get loud and stern with me because He had already set everything in place to bring someone I love into the kingdom of God and I got to be part of it. But in my own wisdom what He told me to do was not going to be well received, and it wasn't. But God used the pain it caused to bring that person to a place of surrender to Him. After that it got a little easier to not wrestle with God on things. It doesn't mean that I don't still wrestle with Him but it does mean that I will more quickly realize what I am doing. It's like Israel's limp that reminded Him of that time. When I start to argue with God there is a little ache in my heart that say's don't forget. Or better still don't make me use my Father voice on you. I still allow the things of life to clutter up my Jesus space and even have some trouble finding Him when the clutter gets to be really bad but I am much quicker to throw things away and reorganize the mess so that He is where He deserves to be. Number 1 right up front before all that mess.
What is it that you have been wrestling God about when it comes to making room for Him? I encourage you to stop fighting and trust Him. Don't make Him throw your Hip out or use His Father voice on you.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I see that Amy commented on this same verse. I wake up in the morning, so very tired from wrestling with all my worries, medically, physically, emotional, spiritual, and yesterday I was having a rough time and I remember laying down to try to relieve some of the physical symptoms and I just kept talking to God fighting the thoughts with the truth, and it kept me calm …
Matthew 11: 28 “come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest”
Sometimes my worries and concerns can consume me. Mostly it’s for my children and what they might be dealing with in their lives. I just want them to be alright, I want the best for them and I’m one to try to fix it if I can. But sometimes it becomes overwhelming in my mind as I pray for them and I’m thankful for Matthew 11:28 that I can lift my prayers, worries to Him and have faith that He hears and can give me rest in knowing “ He’s got this”