The Old Testament reading for this coming Sunday is from the book of Genesis.  It is a story featuring two figures: the patriarch Jacob and “a man.” As the story goes, Jacob wrestles with the man all night long until, as morning approaches, the man demands that Jacob let him go. Jacob refuses, telling the man that he will not let him go until the man blesses him. The man complies, blessing Jacob and bequeathing a new name upon him.  Jacob’s new name will be Israel. The reason given for his new name: “for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed (Gen. 32:28).” From this point forward, Jacob’s life is unalterably changed, and his life takes a radically different life-affirming direction.

Though “the man” refuses to disclose his name to him, Jacob clearly understands that this physically demanding and spiritually taxing experience has been with no “man” but rather with God. And it has taken a toll on Jacob.  The passage ends with Jacob literally limping away because his hip was thrown out of joint in the encounter. Yes, he successfully transitions to a new chapter of his life with God, but it has cost him dearly.

Many of us have come to believe that our relationship with God should not demand too much from us.  Sure, we’re welcome to receive the good news of God’s love in Christ, but seldom do we count the cost, and rarely are we willing to “wrestle with God” for a very long time or if it causes us to sacrifice too much. As a result, many of us fail truly to understand and experience the life to which God is calling us.

Jesus is constantly inviting us into greater depths of faith. He beckons Peter to step out on the water. He encourages the rich young man to sell his possessions. He exhorts his disciples to take up their crosses and follow. Jesus calls us to both lay down our earthly burdens and to pick up the heavenly burden of love. Jesus leads us into truly the only life worth living, but make no mistake, it will cost us dearly.

Wrestling with God. Not easy. Sometimes, not fun. If, in following Christ, we don’t have some sort of a limp, then we’re probably not doing it right. The Way of Jesus always eventually leads to abundant, joyful life, but only after it takes us through some sort of a crucifixion experience. If you want something more comfortable, then choose some other way. Jesus never said that it would be easy; only that it would be good… for the world and for us too.

~Art