It’s been a while since I’ve shared anything here. Sabbatical was great and then it was September. I can’t promise I will post every week as I have in the past, though I will post when the Spirit moves. I hope you enjoy my take on Jacob wrestling with God. You are free to use it in your worship without changes and with attribution.
Thinking of Jacob’s Long Night in the night having sent reparations ahead and later two wives two maids eleven children crossed the river apart from everything you are alone yet not alone for One appears and the tossing and turning begins you wrestle until daybreak the Stranger wants to leave you won’t let go without a blessing the blessing given is unexpected you leave Jacob and become Israel the one who comes after the supplanter the heel the one God protects transformed into the one who wrestles with God and prevails the change is deeper than a name you are marked by your blessing hip joint displaced limping into the new day to face the brother you cheated long ago how blessed did you feel in that moment with hip throbbing exhaustion slowing your feet? could you feel the transformation begin? you went on to add one more son to your eleven becoming the father of the Twelve Tribes proof that God works through all of us even the ones who haven’t always chosen holy ways was that long night of wrestling worth the pain that came after the blessing? no doubt you were expecting something different when you would not let go if it’s any consolation you remind us now that blessings aren’t what we may think they might be hard-won they could put us out of joint sometimes painfully possibly enabling us to face into wrongs currently needing forgiveness mercy justice reparations may we have the courage to hold on until the blessing comes transformation takes root preconceived notions are disjointed at the touch of the Holy One and we move differently in the world made new
RCL: Pentecost 19C – October 16, 2022 – Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Psalm 119:97-104 • Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 121 • 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 • Luke 18:1-8
Wonderful poem. I appreciate your insights and how you bring scripture to life. Reading this brings so many thoughts of personal and community challenges we face and the importance of understanding the true meaning of “blessing”; a life giving, life changing gift we receive from God even if it comes with unexpected challenges and even pain.
Thank you, Tom. It’s always great to hear when something I’ve written or said (or both) resonates with someone.