One of my favorite passages in the Old Testament is Genesis 32, which tells the story of Jacob wrestling with God. It is a fascinating and detailed story: Jacob has spent his life doing things his own way, and he had been reasonably successful at it. It echoes the reality of our own lives. Like Jacob, many of us believe that if we proceed with care and a thoughtful attitude, we can get by, even without God. For Jacob, reality crept in. He came to the discovery – and reality, that says — you can do everything ‘right’ and still discover that you are at odds with the world. Jacob had reached the age where he needed to make peace with his brother. Whatever the reason, a time will come when we need to get something fixed – to make peace with a circumstance.
Whatever our reasons are for ‘making peace’, when we are talking about our relationship with God, there are multiple dimensions that we need to explore and change.
What is needed in our relationship with God ?
A spiritual dimension: Christ empowers me with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can work as I yield to Him. In addition to yielding, the Holy Spirit needs to take control and push me in the right direction. I will be most vulnerable when I fail to yield.
An emotional dimension: when I think of relationships, it is clear that care and compassion are required for all the parts of me that deal with people, and with God. If I were to have an attitude of disenchantment or disconnection, the relationship will not be there. I want to relate to people, and to God. Why would I ever want a disconnected emotional relationship?
An understanding of hierarchy: “I am in charge” has to be removed from my thought pattern. If my approach to life means I have to be in charge, I am missing out. Clearly, there are people who will always be better at doing things than I am. I must recognize that it is not always best to be the leader. Sometimes I need to be the follower.
A physical dimension: how is it possible to have a physical relationship with an invisible God? It almost sounds like I need to become God’s puppet. It is actually just an attitude adjustment. I need to recognize that I cannot do some things. A realistic approach is see that some things are not within my power. I need to rely on God, and let God be in control.
A mental dimension: if Jacob did not have a plan, he would have been living life with an attitude of “I have no idea what comes next”. With no plan, it means he would have to constantly strive to control his path. It is only when we you have a plan in mind that we can strive for it. For example, if my plan was ‘Build a pyramid’, in my developer’s mind, I have to see the vision and have some idea of the steps to make it happen. The mental dimension means planning, and working the plan. Mentally, I have to expect that I need to invest in a working relationship with God to make the plan and work the plan.