Playing Catch-Up With God

Last week, I was sick for a few days and out of the office. When I came back, I had some catching-up to do - phone calls, emails, notes, etc.

In Genesis 35, Jacob is invited by God to “get up” or “catch-up” with Him. God is simply re-instructing Jacob to do what he’s already been told to do. Genesis 35:1 tells us that God said, “Get up! Go to Bethel and settle there.” He is really saying, “Hello Jacob… You want to get out of the mess you’re in there in Shechem where I didn’t tell you to go? Then, pick up the mess you’ve made of your life and your family by your disobedience…..clean up your act…..tell your family they need to clean up their act……and come back to Bethel. Remember, I told you that’s where I’d be waiting. Jacob…..come on…..catch-up!” (Gen. 31:13).

This chapter of Genesis is so full of life lessons for us. Today, just think for a minute….do you need to catch up with God or His will for your life?

Is there something you know God told you to do but you didn’t do it? It’s not too late – you have this moment. Perhaps it’s to reach out to someone. Come on…….catch up!

Did life get so overwhelming you just stopped doing things God’s way and took control of your own life? Do you think you did a better job with your life than God did? Today could be the day you return to Him and to doing things His way. Come on…..catch up!

In Genesis 31:13, God said, “I am the God of Bethel”.

In Genesis 28:13-15, listen to the words God had spoken to Jacob when they first met at Bethel more than 20 years before. The Lord was standing there beside him saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land you are now sleeping on…..Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land and will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

God was just waiting for Jacob to catch up with Him so He could bless him, fulfill His promises. He does the same thing for us when we lag behind. He waits for us to catch-up with Him and His plans for us. Yes, we lose some things in the process. We all have Uncle Laban’s who abuse our goodness. We all are deceived by people in life. None of us are excused from situations that challenge our faith. But God has an individual plan for each of us. He bids us to return to Him – to catch up!

It’s a new week
It’s a new month.
It’s a new opportunity.
It’s time to catch-up with God – You know where He is – now head on to meet Him! You know where your Bethel is – He’s waiting there for you!

Then reach out to someone else and share how God’s love has overflowed in your life!

Blessed,
Tricia