What's your "Jacob"?

The sermon on Sunday was about Genesis 32, and if you recall, in this story God changed Jacob's name to Israel, thus giving him a new identity. Jacob was literally defined by his name, a "heel grabber", because he was born after his twin brother. The take-away from this story is that we are all defined by things in our lives that are not Godly and we must change.

I find myself moved by this story, and mostly for the shear fact that I can associate with Jacob. I find myself wrestling God on a daily basis, just as Jacob did. I often challenge God, saying, "Why won't you let this happen? Why don't you want this to be part of my plan? Why did you take this away from me?"

I realize, and have probably always known, that there are a lot of things in my life that define me and constitute my identity. Without my job, my husband, my friends, my car, my clothes, my weekly television shows, etc, who would I be? Truthfully I would probably find myself feeling very empty. Is that not what God is trying to tell us?

A month ago I totalled my car, last week nothing seemed to go right at work, and who knows what will happen this week or next month to me?

We may not always like God's way of showing us that we are not focused on him, that we are not filled up with his spirit, that we are not living through his word, but if God's actions catch our attention then his goal is achieved.

What part of your life is defining you right now? Maybe it is your job, your possessions, or your physical appearance. Is it preventing you from seeking God daily and encountering him in every aspect of your life? Is it holding you back from having a peaceful heart or a peaceful marriage? Whatever the case may be for you, if you do not take action to correct it, God will find a way to show you.

On that note, I know that I have a lot I need to re-prioritize in my life. Work has become the center of my attention lately. I have to remind myself that I work to live, I do not live to work. My work ambitions and drive to be a successful business woman should not define me or put a strain on my life, my relationships, and my walk with Christ. I know whole-hearted that without my job I am still the same person, without the income we would still be happy, and without the career I would still be successful in my life.

Not everyone will understand where I am coming from on this matter. Some will not see the need to seek God first, so let me just say this... at the end of the day once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box, and from that box, as equals, God will decide who is worthy to spend eternity with him. I am grateful that we have a God that saves us from ourselves.

God desperately wants to change your identity!