READ
Genesis 26-35
CONSIDER
God wired us as humans to make sense of our lives through storytelling. We understand our lives by forming the facts into a narrative chain. And we live in and through those stories. Neuro-scientists tell us that, when our brains are not focused on a task, they naturally go into storytelling mode—weaving an ongoing narrative about the past, present, and future. In a sense, we do not know who we are or how to live until we understand our place in the story. As Christ followers, the question naturally arises – what story should function like this in our lives. The answer of course at one level is obvious – it is the story of Scripture. We can actually live scripture shaped lives by connecting our lives to the master story of Scripture.
This Sunday, we will continue in Genesis and discover how the life of Jacob connects with our life, calling us to participate in the greater story of Scripture and God’s plan for the world.
Rev. Sunder Krishnan
PRAY
Lord, help us to be a people who rely on you. Help us to do the right thing in the right way so your name may be glorified. Holy Spirit, strengthen us and help us walk in trust, even when we are experiencing your discipline in our lives for not walking in your way. Help us to be faithful, and continue to live for you, pouring our lives out for this generation and the next. Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
What does this story teach me about the way God works in the lives of his children?
Is there any aspect in our lives where we might be trying to get the right thing the wrong way?
Is there any dimension of your life where you are experiencing God’s discipline for going your own way in the past rather than walking in obedience born of trust in him?
Are you finishing well, becoming a beautiful old man like Jacob being able to prophetically bless the next generation in this last phase of our lives?