Listen to today’s devo!

But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” (Gen. 27:35)

My spiritual mentor made an announcement to our small group: “Today I’m going to do something truly special. I’m going to give each of you a blessing.”

“Isn’t that something mentors do before they die?” All eyes glaringly turned on me for ruining the moment. My mentor frowned but proceeded as planned. As he began speaking leadership blessings over the participants, I squirmed. I was afraid I’d again be defined as just a pretty mom.

It is nerve-racking to let other people define us. Jacob did not trust his father to give him a good blessing. Knowing Isaac preferred Esau, Jacob came disguised as Esau and stole his brother’s blessing. As Christians, it can be difficult to let our heavenly Father fully define us and our futures. We compare ourselves to our brothers and sisters in Christ, often wishing God would bless us as he has them. Yet we can rest in the promise of Jeremiah 29:11–13, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” Let us wholeheartedly trust our Creator and come to him without disguise.

Tell God you trust him to define your future.

Tamar Eisenmann and her husband are Wesleyan pastors from Jackson, Michigan. She is a Wesley Seminary doctoral student and a fan of Transformers, her kids, and Jesus.

© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.