Milestones: Part 1 - 'Moments of Submission'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Genesis chapter 32 verses 22-31
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.



Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, in our times of fear, confusion and lament, please bless us as we wrestle things through with you. Bring us to know ourselves better, and to know you better too. Help us to grow in the knowledge of your great love and faithfulness, that we might trust you with all of our tomorrows and therefore live in the light of hope today. Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. What do you think of the idea that we have a primary call (to believe in and follow Jesus) and various secondary calls?
2. How well are you doing at answering that primary call?
3. What are the secondary calls in your life?
4. Is there some specific call you are sensing might be from God? If so, how are you testing that sense of call? As well as prayer, reflection and talking with trusted Christian friends, you might try the SHAPE exercise to help you decide whether what you are sensing matches well with who you are:S = Spiritual gifts
H = Heart’s desire
A = Abilities
P = Personality
E = Experience
5. Is there something that God has been on at you about, but you haven’t submitted to Him over it? What might you do next?