Wake-Up Call!

Based on Genesis 28-30

"And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep." Genesis 28:11

Genesis 28 focused on Jacob & the start of what would be a long journey of hard work toward the land of his father's ancestors in search of a wife. Although there are so many things to focus on in chapters 29 & 30 when Leah & Rachel both become his wives, my attention has been drawn to just the start of the journey, sort of between a "rock & a hard place" if you will, when Jacob slept on a pillow of rocks on his way to the land of his ancestors. I've focused on this part as well, last year I believe, talking about a pillow to a pillar...but this time, I'm focusing on the fact that this moment in Jacob's life was a wake-up call for him & the boost he needed to keep going.

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it."

Genesis 28:12

"And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it." Genesis 28:18

The dream & vision God gave to Jacob that night transformed him. Now he still had a long way to go, and would still have some improvements to make, but this moment was a motivator for him. In the dream with the ladder, God was at the top, and he renewed the promise made since Abraham. He would give Jacob the land he was laying down on, and to all his generations after him. Jacob was a little scared & shocked, but sometimes it takes stuff like that to jolt us up & get us going! Sure, we may have made some new years' resolutions, but has the spark of new years already begun to get dull? On our ladder to success this year, let's make sure God is at the top as the main focus...not just in a dream, but in our reality! Then we will see each goal accomplished as The Lord leads & guides us up that ladder!

"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." Genesis 28:20‭-‬22

Are we ready to give it all to God? He has promises for us this year, but we can't stay dormant between a rock & a hard place...Jesus is our rock & firm foundation, and if we respond to the wake-up call & find Him in the hard place, we will be set-up for success!