You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
This passage of scripture from Genesis is one that always sets my imagination in motion. There’s something very interesting about this notion that as we wrestle with the divine, we become the people and the person of God… that we are transformed. For me, coming to understand and living out the ways of God are much like a wrestling match. I’m not necessarily contending with God, but with the various impulses and communications that compete for my attention and action. In a very gradual daily way it seems to get a little bit easier, but I’m fairly confident I won’t make it all the way there on this side of heaven. If you too share this struggle, may the grace of God guide us on the path that we are traveling and ultimately lead us to the freedom of His love.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.