Walking Wounded

Naawuni yi kabigi a gbali, o ni wuhi a ni yen kpahi shem.
(Dagbani (Ghana) Proverb)
If God breaks your leg, He will teach you how to limp. (English)

The story of Jacob wrestling with an angel was the foundation of the sermon on Sunday. One of the truths we must face as we wrestle with decisions, callings, and actions is that there is a very good chance we will come away wounded like Jacob who was struck in the hip. Even if we are following our true vocation, there is always an opportunity that our soul will be bruised. Like Jacob we do not have to become stagnant and frozen in place by our injuries, we can prevail despite our struggles, wounds, and brokenness.

Genesis 32:24-31

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that He could not defeat him, He struck Jacob's hip as they wrestled and dislocated his hip socket. Then He said to Jacob, "Let Me go, for it is daybreak."
But Jacob said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me."
"What is your name?" the man asked.
"Jacob!" he replied.
"Your name will no longer be Jacob," He said. "It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."
Then Jacob asked Him, "Please tell me Your name."
But He answered, "Why do you ask My name?" And He blessed him there.
Jacob then named the place Peniel, "For," [he said,] "I have seen God face to face, and I have been delivered." The sun shone on him as he passed by Peniel —limping on his hip.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You provide a constant watch over us and we are re-named and re-made in your presence. There are no limits to your works. Let us continue to wrestle and deliberate your vision for our lives and for the life of our congregation. We are willing to walk wounded, marked by a limp, if we are only able to continue in passage with you. Our deliverance is living in your presence like the eye of a storm. Amen