Love Match

“Draw me nearer, Lord.  Never let me go.  Closer to Your heart.  Draw me nearer, Lord.”  (By Design, from their CD “Sacred Refuge”)

This was the song on my heart as I awoke this morning.  So I played it… and got goosebumps as You did just as I had asked You, Lord!

Oh, Abba!  Jesus!  Holy Spirit!  Each so distinct… yet, One.  Whole.

“In the beginning God created… and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”  (Genesis 1:1,2)  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made…”  (John 1:1-3a)

Such lofty concepts to wrestle with this morning, Lord.

Why would You lead me here today?

“So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”  (Geness 32:24)

I have read this passage many times, Lord.  But I don’t remember ever meditating on it deeply.  What is it that You want to show me, Lord?  Today… of all days?

Jacob was alone… and yet, there was this man.  Where did he come from?  He seemed to appear out of nowhere… or, as it turns out, Everywhere.

It was You, Lord.  And at some point, Jacob knew it.  So he wrestled with You.  All night long.

Jacob was on his way home, knowing he would meet his brother.  The brother whose birthright and blessing he had stolen through deception.

Jacob was afraid for his life… and so much more.  Then You met him on that road, Lord… and wrestled with him all night long.

After all, a wrestling match takes two.

Jacob’s part was amazing enough.  He refused to let You go, Lord.  He knew in his heart-of-hearts that You — and only You — had what he desperately needed.

“I will not let You go until You bless me.”  (Genesis 32:26)

I have seen a wrestling match before.  It’s a combination of Strategy and Opportunity. Balance and Leverage.  Anticipation and Reaction.

In every wrestling match I have seen, there are frequent breaks in the action.  When points are scored and contenders “reset” for the next round.  Until one wins.

But You wrestled with Jacob, Lord, and he wrestled with Youall night long!  No “points.”  No breaks.  Only fervent, persistent, relentless, mutual engagement.

Who won this match?  From where I sit in the “stands,” I’d say You both did.

Jacob won what he so desperately wanted:  Your blessing.

“You will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with man and have overcome… And He blessed him there.”  (Genesis 32:28,29b)

Jacob also got a wrenched hip.  Strange “trophy” to win?  And yet, maybe it was just that — a trophy of sorts.  Enduring evidence of his face-to-face encounter with You, Lord.  The encounter that saved him… and changed him forever.

“I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”  (Genesis 32:30)

And what did You win, Lord?

A servant who was willing to “go to the mat” with You?  Who knew he needed what only You had to offer?  Who wanted Your blessing more than anything else in all the world?  Who would fully engage with You — with all of his mind, heart, soul and strength… refusing to let You go?

Isn’t that what You want to “win” every day, Lord?  With every one of us???

“Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  (Matthew 22:37)

The move that wins a wrestling match is The Pin. One oponent is overpowered by the strength and/or advantage of the other.

Hmm… To be “pinned” by the Prince of Peace?   I like the sound of it, Lord.  But I guess I wouldn’t like the feel of it… would I?  And neither would You.

Because True Love doesn’t overpower or force its way.  It doesn’t coerce through strength and advantage.  No… True Love invites.

That’s what You do… isn’t it, Lord?  You invite us to love You.  Not out of a lack of passion or persistence.  You have an infinite supply of both!

In LOVE that is truer than any love on earth, You invite us to love You.  Out of Your respect for the freedom You gave us.  The freedom to choose who we will love.

So I sing it again, Lord.  The song You had on my heart this morning when I awoke.

I sing it again… because I choose You.

“Draw me nearer, Lord.  Never let me go.  Closer to Your heart.  Draw me nearer, Lord.”

Abba’s Girl

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