By Larry McGuire, president of seventy
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.
The gift and cautious reality in our world is the tool known as AI or artificial intelligence. For some, it is a tool upon which they lean for every communication and development of resources. Type in a subject with some parameters, and see what is created. It provides answers of context, application, and will produce talking points for you to consider. I have not needed AI to help me understand my experiences of wrestling with God.
I find myself wrestling with thoughts, worries, and decisions to make in personal and professional life context. Along with wrestling is the art of negotiating: what if… is it possible… I might be wrong, but…. I realize that wrestling and negotiating are woven together many times in life just like in the passage from Genesis 32.
Wrestling, negotiating terms of release, naming, blessing, and moving on—sometimes with a mark. Jacob protects his family, encounters a man and wrestles to what I call a draw. The person of his resistance asks to be released; Jacob negotiates for a blessing. He receives a new name and identity. But Jacob continues, tell me your name. Naming in scripture is important for status so it’s a natural question. The man doesn’t give his name, but the place of struggle receives a name. It becomes a marker of God’s presence and a blessing.
The more I wrestle, the more I ask for the name of the person with whom I am wrestling. The name I hear is, it’s you. I’m with you, but you are wrestling with yourself. This often leads me to a new place, the sacred place of surrender. I can cling to my own thoughts, expectations, and decisions. When I surrender, I recognize the blessing of the struggle and also God’s faithful presence with me. When I embrace God’s presence, I am then free to hear a new name and the blessing of that place: Beloved. Not some concept developed with technology, but the reality of our life as disciples. Beloved, a name, a relationship, our place of surrender.
Prayer Phrase
“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).
Spiritual Hunger
Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.