An Open Heart
Based on Genesis 33-35
"And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept." Genesis 33:4
This is such a beautiful moment to picture-2 brothers, Esau & Jacob, with a past of competition, anger, bitterness, grudges & so much else, re-uniting with open hearts...pouring out all the tears & all the love they missed out on for so many years. There's no way that could have been accomplished if Jacob didn't have that humbling experience with God in the previous chapters! With a little humility & some "open heart surgery" if you will, God can help us to get over years of hurt, even with family members!
"Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it."
Genesis 33:11
...And Jacob, now known as Israel, even brought him back a blessing! The one who once deceitfully took a blessing in the past now offered to Esau without expecting anything in return! An open heart allows love to flow freely, and an open heart is also aware that the openness leaves it vulnerable to getting hurt...but Jacob was past all of that now. Again, he didn't worry anymore about getting anything in return for his blessing to Esau. He didn't fear his brother anymore. He had a fear of God, with an open heart, causing him to have faith, love & trust that God would continue to be there for him on this journey.
"Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: and let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went."
Genesis 35:2-3
After some more up & down situations, it becomes all the more clear to Jacob that an open heart & connection & obedience to God are the keys to succeeding through life's challenges. Even when someone took advantage of his daughter, he thought his sons were in the wrong for taking revenge & attacking the city. Jacob tried to stay humble. He obeyed God, left the area with his family & traveled to Beth-el to sacrifice. No matter what, let's let our love flow freely. We can also openly give our hurts to God in prayer too. God can do so much more with an open heart than a closed heart. Don't be afraid to trust Him!
written by
Gina Pietrzak
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