Jacob, Israel Complex - A Devotional About Peace

I have always had a thing for pretty, well-put together packaging. Like, any product that looks good from the outside. The more clean, creative & bold the packaging; the better. No, seriously. I will grab a product off the shelf, so fast! Products that I’ve never even used before, it can be packaging from a beauty product, coffee mug, candle, or food. Mm hmmm. Constantly learning to say, “No!”, to things that I don’t necessarily need, but instead, admire it from a distance, because let’s be honest, “All that glitters, isn’t gold.”

And, “No” - there’s nothing wrong with appreciating fine art, even when it comes to product labels. But, what if I had the same approach in the way that I viewed other people, their gifts and talents? Think of all the beautiful people, experiences and opportunities that would be missed by such narrow mindedness. Judging the well-put together person, “from the outside” (solely on my weak perspective) and rejecting those that don’t fit my expectation - an expectation that is never truth.

Comparing myself to others began, within, at a very young age; I had a deep desire to feel accepted by the next person. Becoming older, my heart for others grew as I matured, but the comparisons continued. Trying to desperately fit into an identity that I “felt” society deemed appropriate, trying to accomplish things within a timeline that I adopted in an effort to match a world-view. I attempted to take on an identity and set expectations for myself without giving the Lord any say. And I crashed, y’all. Straight failed; I just knew at that time that it was over for me. Or so I thought.

Picture this, we each have this specific, unique purpose for our life and instead of us walking forward in that, we are constantly looking frantically to the left and to the right. Desperately searching for this identity...This acceptance, this Intimacy.

When we don’t have our eyes set on the path in which God has set before us, we are bound to crash. And that is exactly where I found myself a few years back, and it was a hot mess. You want to talk about a wreck? That specific story, I’ll save that for another day...

And y’all, living for the Lord is a beautiful journey. But, I would be lying if I told you that everything’s been a simple, breeze. This girl has had PLENTY of temper tantrums with God along with some not so great choices. Especially, when He’s asked me to let certain things go. But, when I tell you - He is a redeemer, a master orchestrator, it’s from personal experience.

He wants to reveal His identity to us and show us our identity in Him. There are no coincidences in Christ Jesus - that is the most breathtaking truth; it leaves me in awe! And, it makes my soul glad that I can boldly tell you that. Although, we are given a new name, it doesn’t mean that the refining process is complete.

It’s been such a pattern, so much so, that I’ve realized that it’s going to continue to be a constant process as we walk forward. And through this process, our trust and relationship strengthens with some,“wrestling” here and there. I’m sure that Jacob, the son of Isaac may have shared the same experiences that we walk through. A little background about Jacob, he was a manipulator. He chose to fool his father, Isaac and brother, Esau in an effort to gain his brother’s blessing as well as earthly gifts. And was successful in gaining what was supposed to be Esau's inheritance. However, over time, God began to deal with Jacob. I encourage you to read the entire story! The passage below, shows how gracious He is with us, even in the midst of our turmoil.

Genesis 32:22-29 NIV

“ 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants 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 day break. 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.” But Jacob replied , “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, What is your name?”“Jacob,” he answered,

28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and you have overcome.”

Notice that before the encounter with God, Jacob released his family and all of his possessions.

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit, who do you say that I am? I believe as God begins to reveal this to us, it will cultivate peace within our space as we take steps onward.

Let’s Live This Thing!

With Love,

Chalssie

Colossians 3:15

James 3:18

Philippians 4:7

Numbers 6:24-26