Life-Changing Experience

"So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.

When the man saw that he could not overpower him

he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.  

Then the man said, 'Let me go for it is daybreak.'  

But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'"

(Genesis 32:24-26)

There have been many struggles or low periods in my life.  On several occasions I almost became destitute to the point of homelessness; however, I refused to give up on making this thing called life work.  Certainly I could have thrown in the towel in resignation, but I kept in mind a higher calling.  Part of what drives me is remembering the original design for humanity, and this is to live in eternity worshiping God the Father.  The apostle Paul stated,

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile;

you are still in your sins.

Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ is lost.

If only for this life we have hope in Christ,

we are to be pitied more than all men."

(I Corinthians 15:17-19)

Several events in life, which I believe have been orchestrated by God Himself, have caused me to never walk the same again.  First is the salvation experience I underwent as a teenager.  Second is the state mandated "vacation" I took for almost four years of my life.  My attention was grabbed and focused on the mess I had made of my time here on earth.  Too much striving and attention focus on what was not of God and His Will.  Yes, I was not a good steward of the time afforded me, nor of the gifts, skills, and abilities planted in my soul.  In hindsight, the time was not wasted as it was a period of training in the refiner's fire of the soul.  Even now I struggle against the spiritual powers of this fallen world, but I have a greater calling which transcends and trumps those of this world.  As I continue to live more in line with God's Word, the pressure increases to transform to the earthly establishment.  Ultimately God and His mighty plan will "beat the entrenched system."  As I move forward, I will continue to pray earnestly to follow God and what he requires of me.  This world is not all I have.  Thankfully I have an eternal future to look forward too.  (The spiritual realm encompasses the ethereal.)  Father God, continue to touch me so I may never walk the same again.