Jacob leaves for home

Jacob feels the need to return home. He has been gone twenty odd years. This becomes both a physical longing for home as well as a spiritual movement in Jacob’s life. The part of Jacob’s life up to this point some would refer to as the Lizard brain-reproduction and gathering stage. He as a family and also has acquired great wealth. Jacob has been preparing all his life for this time, although he may have never realized this point.

We find Jacob at a place where he is left alone wrestles with God. The image begins as a man or messenger but everyone sees this as God or a direct representative of God. Jacob wrestles all night maintaining in control of this situation. For the first time in his life while being in control he does not receive the blessing he is asking for. He does receive a new name along with all that it means for the future. It does not seem that this was what Jacob was actually expecting.

Reaching the end of the wrestling match, he does not know for certain what will happen next. About the only difference is that he is no longer afraid. He has confidence to continue the journey.

The spiritual transformation has occurred. Spiritual maturity begins with a new awakening. Jacob will continue to have trouble in his life. He is returning to the original person God intended his to be. Created in the image of God.

Jacob’s story is our story. We all struggle to return to the point where we were created in the image of God. Back to the beginning seem like we have not accomplished much on this journey. This is an invitation to a further journey. Richard Rohr says: “A journey into the second half of our own lives awaits us all. Not everybody goes there…A further journey is a well kept secret for some reason.” (Richard Rohr Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life)