A Date with God - The Wesleyan Church

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. (Gen. 32:24)

There was a place on the farm where I grew up in which woods, fields, and sky seemed to meld together into a sanctuary. It was a perfect place to be alone with God. As years passed, other places became special havens for prayer. These alone times were usually either early in the morning or late at night, separated from family and responsibilities. In these places I fervently sought answers for family situations in which hope of resolution was dim.

Jacob determined to be alone with God. He planned to honestly confront his Lord. Many biblical saints questioned God, including Abraham, Moses, Jeremiah, and David. They asked if God really meant his promise, questioned their own abilities, or wondered why God allowed things to happen. Jacob was burdened, yet he did not totally keep his eyes on his situation. He truthfully took his concerns to God, and God met him.

Jacob and I had trouble trusting God’s will in our lives. We believed in God but wanted more answers. I prayed for years about one family problem. Jacob had even more time to ponder possible outcomes. We discovered that God wants to have an honest relationship with us. If we just dedicate some alone time with him and tell him the truth, he will listen. Expect him to answer. He will, in his time, and it will be right.

Make a date with God, and be honest.

Dale Witkowski is a lay pastor, sanctuary steward, blog contributor, and Sunday school teacher at Horseheads Community Wesleyan Church in New York. She is also an artist and a poet.