January 3rd - Reflection

Genesis 28:10-22 (NRSV)
Jacob's ladder

Jacob left Beer sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, "I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!" And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one tenth to you."

Reflection
Jacob had left Canaan and that place had reverted to idolatry. God calls us and comes to us through messengers. As these messengers went up and down the ladder to heaven, guidance is given to Jacob. Jacob knew that what had happened in this dream was special. And Jacob knew that this place on earth and in his life was a unique place that God had reached out to touch Jacob.

In the morning Jacob knew that God would direct his steps in the direction that God wanted him to go. Jacob also knew that God would provide for all that Jacob would need.

As we go through life, let us pause to listen to the messengers that God sends to us. Let us pause to consider our past and those we have left behind. Let us pause and listen to God for the direction of the steps forward. We can be sure that God will provide for our needs along the way. But what we want is to take the steps in the direction that God would have us step. As God is with us and keeps us and guides us we will come to God's house in peace. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, this day may I clearly hear your message. May I follow in the steps you guide me to take. May I look back in love towards those I have left and look forward in love towards those I will meet. Lead me to your house I pray. --- Amen