Wrestling

When I was a little girl, my Grandfather used to watch three things on television - The Lawrence Welk Show, Wrestling, and Roller Derby! (ouch to the scratching and pulling of hair).

I have to admit, I much preferred the peace and gentleness of The Lawrence Welk Show, compared with the anger and battles of the other two! My life can be kind of like this though - on the one hand the beauty and harmony in the form of God's Creation and unity with others, and yet on the other hand the battles that rage around me and even within me.

 One day recently as a friend and I sat listening to a special guest speaking at our church, my friend leaned over and whispered these words: "We wrestle with the spirit of darkness, but we also wrestle with the Spirit of Light."

That was profound for me, as my Christian walk has had many seasons of wrestling the Spirit of Light (God), 
I do believe that, although this wrestling is uncomfortable, it can also be positive. I am convinced first of all that God does not mind the odd wrestling match. Secondly, when we wrestle with God for answers to the hard issues of life and truly want His heart and wisdom on the matter, we come out strong and immovable in our faith. Job is a good example of this.

Unfortunately, there has been the odd time I have engaged in roller derby - going around in circles with the goal of taking everyone out - and that is definitely not a successful conclusion!

 Jude 3
...contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
NIV

The friend who leaned over to whisper those profound words of wrestling the Spirit of Light to me, is also an artist. Below is a photo of a painting she did a couple years ago and a little write up of what she was contemplating at the time. Enjoy!

Genesis 32:26

When I decided to do this painting, my thoughts initially focused on God's universe, so I painted my canvas black - a very deep black depicting the galaxies. As I went through a children's Bible that had Scripture pictures in it, the picture that jumped off the page at me was the one where Jacob was contending with the angel of the Lord for His blessing. I proceeded to research the Scriptures in more depth. As I did, what came to mind was how amazing it was to physically wrestle with the Lord. I wrestle all the time with God for revelation, but to literally physically wrestle hand to hand! What expectation did Jacob have in his wrestling? What expectation do we have in ours? When did Jacob realize Who he was wrestling? Do we realize when we are contending with the Spirit of Light? Why did Jacob stay back alone on the one side of the River while he sent everyone else away? Did he know he would meet God? Do we go off alone to meet God?

This whole process has made me even more in awe of the magnitude of God.
Diana Carson