I am probably not the only one who experiences the battle between flesh and spirit. Especially after surrendering your life to Christ, this internal struggle is inevitable. Who wins this round? Have you fully surrendered to Him, or are there areas you try to keep hidden from God? Do your emotions interfere with your relationship with God and your pursuit of greatness?
Consider Jacob before he became Israel. Despite his deep connection with God and the prophecy he received, he feared his brother Esau. This fear led him to wrestle with God, signifying his struggle to fully trust and surrender.
Jacob’s Struggle with God
Genesis 32:24-28 (NIV):
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 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. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Jacob’s encounter highlights his transformation from a man who relied on his own cunning to one who recognized his need for God’s blessing. The physical struggle left him with a limp, a constant reminder of his dependence on God. This pivotal moment in Jacob’s life represents the internal battles we all face when learning to fully trust and surrender to God’s will.
Acts 5:39 (NIV):
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
How often do we let stubbornness interfere with God’s plans? Jacob’s declaration, “I won’t let you go until you bless me,” signifies his recognition of the need for divine intervention. True transformation comes through struggles, and ultimately, God’s will prevails.
Do you know what God has planned for you? Do you seek His guidance about your future, or do you only turn to Him when your plans fail? Last year, I realized how much I had neglected seeking God’s guidance. Though my plans were good, they lacked His purpose. Moving forward, I strive to live a life aligned with His will.
Reflect on your own journey. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and use your creativity and gifts to honor God. Artistic expression, whether through painting, music, writing, or any other form, can be a powerful way to reflect His beauty and deepen your faith.
God bless. Dare yourself to be what God called you to be.
