wrestling the angel for what you want but you get something else entirely.
a prayer for life wrestlers
I’ve heard it called
“Wresting the angel”
or “Wrestling with God.”
I suppose that’s what l’ve been doing.
I’ve certainly needed things
I didn’t feel You were providing.
I’ve also wanted things
I didn’t feel You were giving.
So I did what I could to take hold of You, saying
“I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
But again
you did not give me what I came for.
Instead, you renamed me.
I wrestled the angel,
received a new name
and now everything
is different.
…
Words by Justin McRoberts
Image by me
For a forthcoming book.
…
What do you think about this “wrestling the angel” interpretation?
I need to remember that Jacob came out of the wrestling match not only with a new name, but also with a limp. I am renamed, remade in grief right now, and I have a limp that is the person I loved being gone. Like Jacob, at daybreak, I will be release and will release with a blessing, the blessing of having had a sister. I will also be remade, and I will have a limp. My thanks to Justin and you for wrestling.
I am going through a period of wrestling.... fighting.... with God..... as I read the lament Psalms .... like Psalm 13.... I have taken to calling it ... "Getting to the 'But' "...... wrestling ... struggling.... How long O Lord...... stuck in the struggle.....hanging on until I can get to the But.... but I trust you God..... Psalm 13 is my current wrestling match