Lake Stevens High School is known for its state wrestling championships. In high school I served as a scorekeeper for our wrestling team.

Although I only vaguely recall recording points for moves such as takedowns and reversals, I clearly remember the sweaty mats and stinky bus rides.

The Bible has a wrestling match in which Jacob wrestles with God through the night until the break of day in which Jacob’s hip socket is touched and becomes out of joint. Jacob held on, asking for a blessing, which the Lord gave him—changing his name from Jacob to Israel.

 Jacob called the place Peniel, meaning “I have seen  God face-to-face and my life is preserved.” Gen. 33:30. Jacob had to submit and his brokenness led to blessing.

God still wrestles; he wrestles with the sinner’s heart. He cares enough about each of us individually to connect with us when we are making wrong choices through his Holy Spirit. Some refer to this process as listening to their conscience. We can choose to listen and submit or resist and pay the consequences.

It’s interesting how little children love to wrestle on the floor with their fathers. They know instinctively that this is a form of love. How wonderful it is to have a Heavenly Father who wrestles with us intimately.
 
Parents who discipline their children realize it takes consistent effort.  For us it’s a work in progress through a daily tug-of-war. Although it is often painstakingly slow, the results are worth every moment of work as we see our children grow and their character develop. I am certain our Heavenly Father agrees.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:7