Beloved of God,

There’s been a lot of wrestling going on in our household these weeks as we grapple with the new rhythm that comes with having both kids in school full time for the first time.  We’ve been working on a morning routine that gets everyone up, fed, and out the door to school in time—without eruptions or flares of impatience.  And we’ve been helping our children negotiate the expectations that come with being a 4th grader and Kindergartener.  When we’re at our best, everything flows smoothly, like a well-choreographed dance.  And when we’re less than our best…well—I know you’ve been there!

There are moments in our lives when we can see change coming, can feel the tide shifting, the season changing, and we know that we will not be able to return to what once was.  These moments can be exhilarating as well as frightening, full of hope as well as grief.  Inevitably, they leave their mark on us.

In a story we’ll hear in worship this month, Jacob experiences one of those moments…a wrestling match on the bank of an ancient river.  You remember Jacob—second born twin of Isaac and Rebekah who robbed his brother Esau of both his birthright and his father’s blessing and then skipped town.  Twenty years and a lot of water have passed under the bridge since Jacob and Esau last set eyes on each other.  And Jacob has done quite well for himself.  In spite of his underhanded ways, God has blessed him and he has prospered.   Now, as Jacob travels with his family and all he has acquired toward the home territory he once knew, word reaches him that brother Esau is heading his way with 400 men.  Jacob is scared spitless!  As darkness descends, Jacob sends family, servants and possessions across the ford of the river.  He will spend the night alone.

Suddenly, out of the shadows, a Stranger leaps on him—who is it?  Esau?  A demon from the river?  All night long they wrestle each other—each one struggling for enough of an advantage to claim victory.

As the first hint of light touches the eastern sky, Jacob—now wounded—wrests a blessing from his Adversary, who, it turns out, is none other than God himself.  As Jacob, now free, limps toward the river ford at dawn, he carries a new name—and a new identity:  ISRAEL – Striver, Contender, Wrestler with God.

Everywhere we look these days high stakes wrestling matches are going down.  As I write, the Federal government  is shutting down while Congressional leaders circle each other in a senseless contest that keeps repeating itself over and again—with real consequences for our nation—especially the more vulnerable among us.  The newly released United Nations report on climate change introduces the most convincing scientific data to date on the reality of global warming, while those would deny this reality still cling to their ideological positions with religious fervor.  Meanwhile, closer to home, I-522 proponents and opponents are setting new $$$ records in that initiative battle on GMO labeling, leaving us voters with the challenge of deciphering it all.  The list goes on and on… Perhaps the most challenging wrestling match is the internal one each of us undergoes in deciding which of the myriad issues facing our state and nation deserves our careful attention, our advocacy, our voice.

God loves a good wrestling match.  Jesus was willing to go to the mat against the principalities and powers of this world bent on eviscerating our trust in the one true God whose mercy endures forever.  But God raised him on the third day, and his resurrection forever changes the odds we face in our battles with whatever comes our way.  With Christ in our corner, the odds have shifted permanently in our favor.As Brother Martin affirmed in his famous hymn:

Struggle is an important part of life—we struggle for clarity on purpose and direction, we wrestle with getting our relationships right and with challenges that face our families and our communities.  As followers of Christ, we pay particular attention to the fate of the last, the least, and the lost.  Our struggle on their behalf is part and parcel of the call we received in baptism.  In a world in which there are no easy answers, we still have a something and someone to guide us.  He is the one who went to mat for us all.  The one who said:  Love your neighbor as yourself.

With you on the Way,

Pastor Erik