Wrestling God Part 3: A new name
He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28
Jacob prevailed when he finally surrendered. Had he not surrendered the battle may have lasted his whole life. When we emerge from resisting God it is fitting we receive a new name. The battle, where we face off against God, will mark is for the rest of our lives. The new name is a new identity. After we have finally submitted to the leadership of God we are different people.
The goal of our Christian life is transformation lived out, to be a city set on a hill. If you have resisted God and finally come to a place of surrender will you tell others? Will you live differently in the future?
More times than not, despite our new identity, we still resist God. Even with a new name we lock arms. How can we be transformed?