"People are trying to bless themselves, the fulfillment we're trying to look in work, skyscrapers, in having wonderful spouse, in having children or making a lots of money, the blessing that we're looking for is actually in the face of God. The blessing we need is in Jesus himself." Tim Keller
We all want to be fulfilled, to reach our best version, to attain our self-actualization, to find meaning in this world, to leave some footprints, and to reach perfection. But as human we are, we fail and we falter. We have limitations and imperfections. We can do something great with our own strength, mighty, and power but it's always limited. It's always not enough, because our life is not about building our own kingdom, it should be about God's kingdom and we are not able to do immeasurably things if His power is not working within us.
We all want to be blessed but only few are seeking the "One who blesses" as I watched this video from Tim Keller, one of the great preachers and authors who speak truth courageously just died recently, this moves me. We're all in rush doing great things on our own, making the most of our life here, thus after we reach our desires and wants, we remain dissatisfied. Life is all about Jesus. He's the blessing himself.
The ancient Greek word translated “blessed” or “happy” means so much more than modern English translations imply. It means to be in favor with, of one mind with, and in tune with the will of God. Blessing is not about getting good things or experiencing happiness. It is about aligning oneself with the Great Liberator—Jesus Christ! -Rev. David
I remember John Piper said that "The greatest competitor for our devotion and affection for God would be some of his precious gift. If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled for so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. God did not create you for this. There is an appetite for God and it can be awakened " (A Hunger for God)
It hits me once again. May we become Jacob who wrestled with God face to face and find blessing in himself only. The real fulfillment in life is in Jesus himself.
Jacob Wrestles With God
22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[f] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,[g] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel,[h] and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.
Genesis 32:22-31
