Genesis 33:3, 4  He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (NIV)

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Something happens to a person who earnestly wrestles with God. Perspective shifts. Focus is clarified. Truth settles in. We see ourselves for who we really are, and for who we are becoming by God’s patient, shaping, forming grace. 

We see this in Jacob’s life, in part, from what we notice in this verse. Jacob, before he wrestled with God, set up layers of defenses between his big brother and himself. Flocks, herds, slave wives and their children, sister wives and their children, and last of all, himself. 

Now, after meeting God and learning to walk at a more deliberate pace, he pushed himself to the front instead of hiding at the rear. Leaders lead from the front. They take responsibility for themselves and others. They face up to who they were and lean in to who they are becoming. 

Enmity experiences absolution when responsibility is exercised. 

The big brother who breathed threats of murderous rage, and the little brother who ran fast and far in fear for his life, now met in a tearful embrace. Such is the nature of God’s grace. It reunites. It reconciles. It renews. 

Where schemes fail, grace will prevail.

How do you know you are beginning to live and love like Jesus? You stop thinking about excuses and start taking responsibility. You take the right lead measures to get where you need to go. You do what is right, just, fair, and kind for everyone concerned. 

Jacob got a name change and a fresh start. And then he stumbled again. Don’t expect perfection from yourself or others when life change is underway. Sometimes forward progress is all we can hope for as we learn the rhythms of grace. Forward progress day by day teaches us that day’s steps to get where we need to go.

What step are you on today? What’s your best next step? What does that make possible? 

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I will live in the opportunities and responsibilities of grace.

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Our Father, thank you for your amazing grace. Continue forming me with your grace, mercy, and kindness. Use me to minister your grace to those who are on this same journey. Amen.