Struggles with God

~~~ Genesis 32:23-33 ~~~ Psalm 17 ~~~ Matthew 9:32-38 ~~~

...I have seen God face to face,” he said,

“yet my life has been spared.”

Jacob finds himself alone in a physical battle

 with the messenger of God.

Jacob had not anticipated this struggle.

The one with whom he fought

 made Jacob that much stronger.

...you have contended with divine and human beings

and have prevailed.

Jacob, however, did not emerge unharmed.

His hip was dislocated leaving him with a painful limp.

We too struggle with God, but most of the time we do not 

know it is God with whom we struggle.

We struggle with God in our head.

We argue with him about our life situations.

We struggle with God in our heart.

We resist his invitation to follow him in times

 of loneliness and disappointment.

We physically struggle with God...

missing Mass...not coming to God with our needs.

During the battle Jacob's name is changed to Israel.

Israel means, one who fought with the divine...God.

Following the battle Jacob called the place Peniel,

which means "the face of God".

I imagine we all struggle with God at different times of our lives.

Perhaps we struggle just to make ourselves feel better...

Perhaps we struggle with God because we are frustrated with life...

Perhaps we struggle with God because he permits it.

Perhaps the struggle itself draws us closer to God.

God left his mark on Jacob even as he let him prevail.

The Lord Blesses us in our struggles with him.

~~~Peace~~~