Focused and daring to wrestle....

I woke up this morning and told myself I was not going to rush. I was going to take my time and take things in stride. I made a decision to be less intense about things and become more focused on what I’m supposed to do. I think my day was pretty good. I’ve had a very enjoyable day.

Want to know? Glad you asked.
In bed at 2AM.
Awake at 6:30AM started focusing on God
7:15AM started Prayer
7:50AM finalizing the message for the day
8:10AM woke up the family
9:00AM started to the gathering
3:30PM back at home
4:30PM took a nap
6:00PM put the Christmas lights on the bushes
9:00PM Ja Nonda made some awesome grilled-cheese

You know I’ve thought more about today’s message. Jacob was fascinating. All his life he cheated and beat people down to get what he wanted. But when he met “the man” he couldn’t scheme his way by using his family as the point-man and some let’s make a deal prayer. You know the prayer I’m talking about. I know I’ve been there before. That prayer I would pray to remind God of everything he promised just so I can do what I want. Jacob was met face-to-face in a wrestling match. It was okay Jacob was used to wrestling. I mean he wrestled with his brother before they took their first breath of air. This time was different because something changed. See all of his life Jacob thought that on the inside he was good and straight. On the outside everyone knew he was crooked and sneaky on his inside. But when he was touched and his hip socket was popped the change started. He found that he didn’t have a solution and he was at the end of himself. See when you are at the end of yourself you just might realize who you are in God. How? It’s because something begins to change. On the inside Jacob may have thought he walked with a limp but on the outside people saw a dance. On the inside he will always remember that day he wrestled and asked “Who are you?” Now the outside reflects an inside that is humbled and no longer wants to make deals. Walking may seem different because he was used to being cooked. All my life I was taught that God touched him and made him a cripple. Today I think differently. I think he was crippled emotionally, spiritually and in relationships and God straightened it out. He didn’t know what it was like to walk straight. So now the straight walk seems to bit unusual. It started with a wound.

The wound was the tipping point in his life. He was wounded by the truth. I got to give him some credit he wasn’t afraid to ask God “Who are you?” There are times I wrestle and I have to say “God who are you?” I did that this morning and my day turned out good. I can’t play God safe I need to ask what I think are tough questions. To God I’m sure they are small but he knows that I’m feeling adventurous or daring. I’m sure change will follow. -chuck