Remember the story of Jacob and the night he wrestled with God….or his angel. ( Gen 32) All we know from the story is that Jacob said……”I have seen the face of God”.  Yet he was using that phrase  to mean that he knew God wanted something from him and interacted with him personally.  Jacob won the fight but was given a bad hip . However, Jacob ( the Deceiver)…now was given the new name of Israel (one in  whom God rules).

God asks Jacob, “What is your name” (Gen. 32:27) .  How would we answer that question? What is our name? Doesn’t He know that I am Barbara?  I think that God doesn’t need my given name.  He already knows (plus the hairs on my head). What He really wants from me and you is our true identity.  What does that mean?

I do believe that means we must confess who we really are.  Inside.  Not the person we appear to be.  This involves some introspection on our part.  Are we the dedicated Christian that we pretend?  How do we feel knowing that we are not really in control our of life? Do we still struggle with our old “man”… the real me?  Are we kidding ourselves that we are so strong in faith that nothing can move us?

As I have written before….sometimes we can’t find God or even know Him.  He is distant and aloof and doesn’t seem to care about my life or my problems.

Yet, I know that God is there for me and you.  He’s ready to forgive us.  He wants to give us a “new name” if only we are willing to confess that we are weak and sinful and need His unconditional love.  He gave that to us at the cross.

When we walk by the Spirit, we no longer need to justify ourselves. We confess our own lack of faith and our willingness to rely in God’s power to transform us and be a person after God’s own heart!