Wrasslin’ with Jesus

I think if we’re honest with ourselves and others, there’s been a time when we’ve doubted our calling and our God. There may be a time where you question if living this “Christian” life is worth it, or if it’ll pay off. Maybe we fear that we’re being idle, or that God has placed too much on our plate. Regardless if you’re connecting with one or more of those, we have great example to grow and learn from in Scripture.

In a recent, albeit brief, conversation with a friend, I learned that this person had felt the pressure of being a Christian. As if there were expectations that were placed on them, by others, that they couldn’t achieve. That interactions with certain people put them on guard because they were bombarded with “Jesus-talks,” and not fellowshipped with.

They are doubting God, and trying to find their place in His world. They’re just doing their “own thing” at the moment.

This gets dangerous, and not in the good ‘Darkwing Duck’ kinda way.

I think we have a cool example of struggling with God and with man in Scripture with Jacob. Now, with this passage, I’m not necessarily equating the situation with doubt and with pressure. Rather, the concept being similar, in Genesis 32.

We see Jacob preparing to meet with his brother Esau. Esau is not a believer in God, while Jacob is. It’s important to note that Jacob and Esau had been noted as “fighting in the womb,” so their relationship isn’t good for multiple reasons. Jacob has been a believer for around 20 years or so, and around 100 years in age. An old dude, by today’s standards.

We see Jacob struggling with the thought of talking to his unbeliever brother. He wrestles with the thought of following the will of God and living for Him.

22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 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. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” (Gen 32:22-26)

We see that he LITERALLY wrestles with God.

I think we can relate. We ‘wrassle’ with the concept of God and living for Him. Just like my friend who is experiencing what they’re experiencing, it’s a real concern.

We see that in the end, God prevails and spares Jacob, but also blesses him, and creates in him a new nation. The nation of Israel.

The take away from this is simple. God has a desire to make you righteous and bless your endeavors. Sometimes, it takes wrasslin with God.

What if you’re on the other end? What if you’ve got the friend who is going through that at the moment, how do you respond?

I think this is an opportunity to shine and just love that person. Don’t question them, don’t pressure them. Encourage them, and let this season take it’s course.

The last thing you wanna do is sacrifice the hangouts because they’re afraid all you’re gonna do is pressure them into “believing again,” or whatever you think it is.

My challenge is that you know God and that His love for you is overwhelming and undeserved. Yet, Grace exists for you to wrestle with Him, and grow. It exists for you to challenge and encourage others to understand the same.

It is not, however, an invitation to pressure or belittle or think less of others when they’re going through seasons of struggle/doubt.

Know God. Know His Love. Experience His Grace.

-Jarin

• Saved: Doubt