He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” vss. 23-24
Genesis 32: 22-26
This night was a turning point for Jacob. He remembered the great wrong he had done to his brother, Esau, how he had tricked him in a moment of weakness and stolen his birthright. The incident had taken place in his youth, probably as a teenager, and a lot of years had passed. But now Esau was coming and Jacob feared that he would seek vengeance. He’d already sent all his cattle and sheep ahead as an offering of repentance. That was all his wealth and then he even sent his wives and children. He remained alone and wrestled with a man until daylight. His struggle represents the internal turmoil that possesses us in moments of great frustration–it was like a battle against himself, and he wrestled his twin to a draw. Some of us know what that’s like. We stand on the precipice of the rest of our lives, not knowing what lies ahead, knowing full well what lies behind. We can’t go back again. The future is waiting, but we don’t know what’s going to happen. Sometimes we call this a mid-life crisis–we have a family and have reached a certain level of maturity. But what comes next? Will we lose our loved ones? How will our journey continue? Can I even survive this battle with my inner self and overcome my inner demons? Everything hangs in balance.
Thought for the Day: What was my mid-life crisis?
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