Why would you wrestle?

One step at a time

I was left an anonymous gift last week. It is a hand-made bookmark with a photo of a beach and two trails of footprints with the words “His footsteps my pathway, one step at a time”.

For me that little bookmark sums up faith. Faith is the wrestle to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, and his footsteps usually lead in a direction that at least part of me doesn’t want to go.

I have been writing about the wrestle of faith and how often the main opponent in the wrestle is actually myself.

The obvious question is, why would you wrestle at all?

Why wouldn’t you let your agenda be simply whatever helps you feel good?

The simple answer is that following Jesus is always what is the ultimate best for you, and for everyone associated with you. Romans 8:28 says:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

There is a kind of development as a human being that only comes through hanging on to Jesus and hanging on to hope, no matter what the circumstances. Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

There is a big part of me that focuses on the circumstances and wants to change them, but changing external circumstances never fixes the pain that comes from our own unmet needs. Learning to hang on to Jesus when things feel horrible is where maturity comes from. I wish it was different but it’s not.

Romans 5:2-4 says:

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

As I look around I see the truth of this verse so clearly. The people who produce hope for me are the ones who hang on to hope in the face of suffering. That suffering changes who they are, builds their character, makes them bigger people, and their character produces hope.

People like Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and the Apostle Paul are my heroes.

For me the starting point is the knowledge that there is a God. With my hope placed in Jesus then other things seem to make sense.

I don’t like suffering or pain, but very few things worth anything are done easily.

I wrestle because it’s the only way I can be me.