Broken Open

Genesis 32:22-31

Jacob is told to go back to the place he ran from. On his way back, he is concerned because he's going to see his brother, Esau, who has been waiting to confront him.

He's now trying to figure out how to prove that he isn't the person who he used to be.

"Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." (32:28)

Most things often start out as one thing and became another.

Example: The internet was initially intended for military operation and is now primarily used for Amazon, social media, etc.

Sometimes we are so distracted by what something has become that we fail to do the work to realize what it started off as.

How did it begin? Learn the foundation in order to understand what it can become.

Example: Toxic relationships become healthy and vice versa - transformation can take place. You have the power, tenacity and communication skills to get to a better place.

The commonality is that something must be destroyed in order to get from one thing to the other.

We spend too much time on what we want to build rather than what we need to destroy in order to experience the transformation.

What are you willing to destroy? Be willing to destroy the need to always be in control, that old mentality, pride, etc. It all must be destroyed.

Jeremiah 1:9

"Behold, I have put my words in your mouth....to build and to plant." (1:9)

If you're going to do what I called you to do, you're going to have to destroy the language and mentality that keeps you from stepping into what I've called you to do.

In order for him to be effective, must surrender to the transformation happening within you.

Isaiah 53:5

"But He was wounded for our transgressions...by his stripes we are healed."

Transformation must have destruction connected to it.

The destruction is temporary; it's worth who you'll end up as on the other side.

We often want to perform and produce but don't want to change our habits - This is why we lack power.

Don't be ashamed of anything you've grown through.

The same power that rose him from the dead is the same power that is inside us.

Some seasons require you to destroy the dis-ease inside of you.

Romans 12:1

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

When it's all said and done, you're going to start out as one thing and end out another.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (12:2)

The goal is to walk in the spirit, not the flesh.

Jacob is on the journey of transformation. Confused why he's being sent back to the place where he knows he will be killed. Worried about something that could occur, that hasn't occurred.

Obeying God by moving in the right direction, but feeling conflicted. Prayed for deliverance and ended up wrestling with God.

Is it enough if you're obeying from a place of fear and distrust?

The reality is your strategy is based off your fear. Moving half-heartedly because you're afraid and want to be "smart" about it.

I John 4:18

Perfect love casts out fear. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

What does our fear have to do with God's love? They should not co-exist.

How would a revelation of God's love change this fear? You've already been affirmed by Him, don't need to worry about external validation.

What are you really afraid of?

You're identity is in God. This is what happens when you are affirmed by God's love. His revelations are perfect for affirming the place no one else could.

God set the situation up so Jacob could wrestle with himself. He wasn't getting what he wanted out of Jacob. Needed to be broken open to get out of him.

He had to touch him in a way he couldn't ignore, to make him realize he wasn't as strong as he once was.

Stay in the fight and keep wrestling, God is transforming not only you but your situation. What will be produced through you is worth the transformation.

Some of us can't be transformed because we don't trust that the breaking can be an opening.

Jacob is being transformed from one thing to another. Necessary to be broken open in order to do it. He was fighting from a place of strength, God needed him to fight from a place of vulnerability.

We've become our own savior, living in survival mode. Building walls up for protection to the point where we don't realize why we need to be broken up.

Been blocked up for so long, don't even know what open looks like.

Moment when he's wrestling in his vulnerability, God changes his name; broken hip and all.

God got what he needed out of him so that Jacob could understand that he was afraid for no reason. Jacob assumed Esau would think he was the same person and was fearful of confrontation.

God wanted him to understand for himself that he is not the same person and until you believe that, no one else will.

This is an identity crisis. Thank you God for a fresh revelation of love.

Jacob wrestled with God and came out different on the other side.

He that began a work in you, shall complete it until the day of completion. (Phil. 1:6)

Give God your openness, He'll give you a new identity.

That limp meant something between him and God - only they knew what he struggled with. He was trying to avoid the wrestling that comes with destiny and the uncertainty that comes with obedience.

It was always about who you became, not what you've built. Surrender fully so God can give you what you need. 🤍