The desire to lead is a beautiful thing. Few are willing to truly lead because of the cost. It involves wrestling, dislocation, limping, personal peril and humility. Jacob leads by bowing down. It makes all the difference Watch 7 minutes:

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Internal spiritual change has EXTERNAL markers. Jacob claims internal change. Let's see how he does with his behavior. Change is the hardest thing in the world. Watch 7 minutes as we see Jacob be brave, and bow down.

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Struggling with God is NORMATIVE CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR. Jacob gets a new name, ISRAEL when he does it. Guess what, it means STRUGGLING WITH GOD. It is not an insult, but a CHARACTERISTIC. And, it is not just for him. Struggle, often in bad circumstances, IS THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC of Christianity. If you are struggling a bit, listen or watch for 7 minutes to hear you are normal:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA

It is no surprise that Jacob has to "wrestle" and strive when he interacts with the infinite Being. We are mere mortals. What IS a surprise is that GOD ALLOWS IT; that He "wrestles back" Listen or watch 7 minutes as we learn about a God who "wrestles back" kindly with Jacob.
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Wrestling with God is an activity to know Him; to pursue Him; to not let Him go. Jacob does so to give us encouragement to do so as well. He gives us the green light to fight and engage a bit with God Himself. It effects everything from that day forward.

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We can leave God out of any and all of our circumstances. We can leave God out of the scary and difficult. We can leave God out of the beautiful.Jacob choses NOT to leave God out of his danger. He serves us by his example.

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Jacob will yield to the Lord after a long history of self-scheming. He'll pray by stating WHO HE IS. Then, WHO GOD IS. Then finally, he'll ask for something. We might learn a thing or two from him. He'll be desperate. This sets up the best kind of prayer.
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Who watches over your children when you cannot watch? Who watches over your friends when they are out of sight? today, we will ask the Lord.
May the Lord watch when I cannot watch

May the Lord see when I cannot see

May the Lord watch me when you can’t.

Who watches when I cannot watch? THE LORD

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