The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITY WAY July 21, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------ Wrestling with God By Andrei Yashurin One of the most interesting accounts in the Bible is the one of Jacob (the supplanter) who wrestled with God, and thus became Israel (the prince of God) (Genesis 32:28). This story always amazed me, perhaps because I rarely saw "wrestlers with God" among believers. More often I encountered those who we afraid to offend God and to make Him angry by their questions and doubts. Another famous man who wrestled with God was Job. During the whole book that bears his name, he bitterly argues and contends with the Almighty. Jobs friends attempt to quiet him and to defend God from his accusations. Yet, at the end of the story, God says to them: "you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has" (Job 42:7). Does God need us to defend Him? I doubt it! We are to be wise and sensitive enough to discern that behind the outward appearance of a man or a woman who wrestles with God we often can find a heart that seeks the Truth, and a mind that cannot be satisfied by a given set of answers and definitions, a mind of an investigator. Truth cannot be forced upon others. It should be embraced and assimilated by us personally. Only then is will prove to be life-transforming. I think, it will be easier for us to understand "wrestlers with God", when we will realize that a person actually wrestles not with God, but with an image of God that exists in his (her) mind. To deny this wrestle would often mean to become a shallow and superficial believer, or to become a hypocrite, a person who disguises thoughts and intentions under a mask. Any command to cease thinking is offensive for a reasonable person, no matter how authoritative it may sound. Not only our ideas about God can change they should change! The Truth is alive and dynamic. That is the reason why we cannot fully "possess" the Truth. We cannot put it in our pocket like a coin. We cannot place it on the shelf like a vase. When people treat the Truth as static, once and for all formulated, they make a great mistake. Unknowingly, they choose to eat yesterday's manna. They choose a stone, not bread. God does not give stones to His children. All that God gives is alive and life-giving. Manna that is sent by Him will prove to be good only for today. It won't feed us tomorrow. When the new day will come, we will need new ideas, deeper and more complex understanding of who is God and who we are. Are we ready for a search? Are we ready to challenge the things that we know now in order to learn more? Are we willing to change? Let me suggest you a simple exercise that will help you to answer this question honestly. Stand in front of a mirror, so that you could see your face. Say it out loud: "I am willing to change!" Repeat this phrase several times. What do you feel deep inside? Some people would get feelings of fear and insecurity. This indicates that there are certain inner barriers that barriers that hold them back in their knowledge of God and expression of God. The only possible way to bring meaningful changes into our life is to be changed inwardly, to become a person that will attract the desired changes. If we want this to happen, we need to get rid of inner resistance to changes. Declare your willingness to change out loud over and over, up until the only thought of new ideas and new experiences will fill you with joy and excitement. The person who is searching at times looks less happy than the one that is content and proud. However, the final outcome of his (her) life is more satisfying. Everyone who searches finds, and keeps on finding - as long as he (she) is alive. ------------------------------------------------------ We invite you to share your prayer requests with us if you would like us to support you in your prayers. We will include your requests in this list (without mentioning your name and an address), or just pray privately if you want so. ------------------------------------------------------ You can read our current articles at our Web site, Positive Christianity E-zine: http://myweb.pczine.net ------------------------------------------------------ Unity, or Unity School of Christianity, is a positive philosophy of life, based on teachings of Jesus Christ. Andrei, the publisher of this list, is a Truth seeker and non-denominational minister from Russia. You are welcome to visit his web site to find out more about him and how you can help him in his work. E-mail: admin@unityway.net http://www.unityway.net Please feel free to share this E-zine with your friends and loved ones. We grow best by word of mouth and appreciate your sharing this newsletter with others. THANKS FOR READING! "God is more willing to give than you are to receive, and you demonstrate what you are willing to receive by what you willingly give." Brad Jensen All messages (c) 2002 by Andrei Yashurin The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the Modern King James Version Bible. This E-zine is being sended through Felist.com list server only to those who subscribed to it, either at Felist.com or at our site. In order to manage your subscription, you need to go to the list page. I cannot subscribe or unsubscribe you. Please, follow this link: http://felist.com/catalog/lit.unityway/ Our ministry is supported through love offerings from like-minded people over the world. We invite you to join us in our work. 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