Down by the river

Before Jacob reunited with his brother Esau, he did a few things, and I will like to think that the most crucial was the solitary appointment at the Jabbok River where he wrestled with God.

At our every crossroads in life, we all make this appointment before every massive or miniature encounter — we go to the riverside. We meet with our fears. We try to confront them, by proxy I suppose.

We call our fears to take the stand. We try to talk them out of the impending challenge. We meet our true selves face-to-face, we struggle with what we find. We wrestle with God.

These meetings are crucial and they are just as important as the one Jacob had at the Jabbok River. The place of the oracle. The moment where we hear the voice of God. That meeting, that moment of solitude could be the most important decision you will ever make.

Sometimes we get consumed by verbose speeches about how we would conquer. Jacob could have done that. I mean he scammed his older brother out of his birthright and their father’s blessing. If anyone should boast, it should be Jacob not you, not me.

This first month of the new year, I believe is a good time to go down by the riverside. Take a plunge or just sit by the water brook. Wait a minute longer than planned. Wait for God to show up.

In order to confront our greatest fears, even our greatest feats, we must wrestle our way through. We must be touched, we must be changed, we must become a new ‘man’ in order to conquer. And though we may limp afterwards, we will be better for it.

Better a limping victor than a vanquished warhorse.

So take time out. Seek God’s face. Pray. Everything isn’t fine until we submit all to The One who spins the universe with a mere thought.

Proverbs 24:6
So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. – NLT