Here. I. Am.

Genesis 31:1-3, 11,13 (NIVUK)

 1-3 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, ‘Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.’ And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude towards him was not what it had been. Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.’ 
11,13 The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.' 1 And he said....... I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.'

Looking back on my longish life, I realise I have been very privileged in my family and family relationships. I've never experienced being treated with gross unfairness or harshness or been embroiled in major conflict, as so many have. I remember sitting with my brother and our spouses in front of a solicitor to discuss the terms of a parent's will and the solicitor being somewhat surprised at the harmony between us - it wasn't his normal experience of family!

Sadly, in many family situations, harmony doesn't rule. It certainly didn't for Jacob. He had been treated with astonishing unfairness by his father-in-law. The account of the breakdown of that relationship in Genesis 31 makes fascinating reading (streaked, speckled and spotted goats are involved!) God speaks to Jacob in a dream. 'Here I am,' says Jacob, present and attentive to God who orders him to return to his distant homeland. The only problem with that solution? It was jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, returning to a bitter, broken relationship with his brother Esau, whom Jacob had betrayed years before. 

What a mess! But Jacob discovers that God is with him in the mess. God is planning a rescue. Jacob has had to learn a hard lesson but God takes him on a journey of repentance and reconciliation.

Do you have any 'messy bits' in your family relationships or in any part of your life? 

Are you prepared to let the Holy Spirit in to bring you his rescue plan? Can you say to God like Jacob, 'Here I am, Lord. It's a mess. Show me what to do.' The Holy Spirit may well take you on a journey of increased self-awareness, of repentance, of forgiveness - it will certainly require humility.

Prayer - Here I am Lord. Thank you that you are so willing to clear up the messy bits of my life.