In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his maturity he contended with God. He wept and sought His favor and found Him at Bethel. Hosea 12:3-4 

These verses speak to our personal life-stories.  I’ll personalize. I have walked in places similar to Jacob’s footsteps. I know what it’s like to seize control of the events of my life, the ones I find so extremely distasteful, and try to change the outcomes. I  know what it’s like to take them ‘by the heel’ and attempt to exact what I think is fair and, also, what I perceive I need. The consequences are far reaching. 

I know what it’s like to demand the attention of others in hopes of some kind of validation. While some attention was given, the desired approval remained elusive. I also know what it’s like to try to force fairness. I may have changed a few outcomes but the treasures I sought failed to gratify me once they were given under coercion. 

For any of you today who are ‘taking life by the heel’, let me encourage you to freeze in your tracks. In Jacob’s maturity, he contended with God by wrestling with the angel. He took the angst in his soul to the One who allowed it in the first place. Only One who is Sovereign can deal with such things and speak to these issues with authority. 

Jacob wept, surrendered in exhaustion, and sought God’s favor above all else. When the voice of God broke through at Bethel, it was a permanent WORD that would forever shape His future. He built a monument there, evidence of the lasting power of God’s voice. Throughout his life, he would visit that place often because of the poignancy of that one encounter. 

I have many Bethels to re-visit. And I do. They are always clarifying and strengthening. Some of you today need a Bethel. Seek it, don’t leave it until the contention with God is resolved. 

You did not make us to live conflicted. You are the Prince of Peace on the other side of the tantrums of contentious children. Lead me always to the stillness of surrender. Amen