Genesis 37 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.” 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” Dreaming is a dangerous business. Dreamers are […]

Jacob made many mistakes. He usurped his brother’s birthright and deceived his father, stealing Esau’s final blessing. There isn’t much commendable in his actions. Jacob was conniving and deceitful, willing to hurt others for personal gain.

And yet! And yet, something else was stirring within him. He desired the blessing, esteemed the birthright, and longed to be chosen. That desire for God’s blessing holds significance.

In my childhood, uncertainty used to trouble me. I longed for a clear plan and sought assurance. When I asked about the plan, my father would often respond with the word “probably.” Oh, how I despised that word! I was too young to articulate it correctly and would reply, “Please don’t say ‘pobity’.” “Probably,” or “pobity,” lacked the certainty I craved.

Genesis 21 16 She then went and sat down opposite him, at a good distance away, about the span of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not witness the death of the child.” And as she sat across from him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 God heard the voice of the […]

Genesis 17 15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come […]

There is nothing more exhilarating than being called by God. The God of the universe, our heavenly Father, calls us, and suddenly it feels like our life has begun. He calls us out of our familiarity, out of our comfort zone, and beyond our known skill set. We embark on a journey that He is charting for us.

In a culture where we demand acceptance, regardless of compliance with anything but the standards we create, this ancient text is especially relevant. Thousands of years have passed, and yet human nature remains almost shockingly unchanged.

I’m ready to be found. I’m tired of this old game. The one where I hide in my shame and despair, feeling cut-out, rejected and abandoned.

But the truth is unbearable. I fell for the lie. Again. I was deceived. I turned my back. I was the one who disregarded Him. I was the one who maligned His character.

And yet!

Consider the One who gave it all. Consider the Man who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but put on humanity to redeem us. Whatever you need, look at Jesus! Look upon Jesus. He will save you. Over and over, He will save you.