Dreamer; Part 1

Oct.25

Read: Genesis 28:10-22

Dreamer; Part 1

(5 Lessons from Jacob at Bethel)

“And (Jacob) came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep…Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” (v.11,16)

The most profound experiences with God come in the least expected places.

We do not often anticipate to meet the Lord in real and powerful ways… we doubt his nearness and presence. We do not presume upon God’s unique presence being in the common places of life. As the people of God we must embrace his powerful presence and revealing of himself in the most unexpected and mundane locales.

Look at Jacob on his way to Haran. Jacob has roughly 550 miles to travel. The average human walks 3 miles an hour, so if he walks 8 hours a day (in the desert no less) he has 23 days of walking ahead of him. That is a long journey. You can imagine how tired he is. How thirsty he must be and ready for rest. (I never sleep well my first night on a trip and away from home.) Jacob walks until the sun goes down and then chooses what seems to him to be a random place to lay down. It was the place he “happened to be at” when the sun set. After pulling a rock up for a pillow, he falls asleep and experiences a profound and life-changing encounter with God Most High. He had no idea how special this place was. Jacob says as much in verse 16: "Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

How often do we go unaware of God’s presence around us? It is obvious that Jacob had no idea this place was special. He had no idea of how unique God’s presence would be made known to him. He was blind to the Lord’s nearness. I believe the Lord led him to this place, although to him it seemed as chance… where he happened to be when the sun went down. Here is the truth: God is leading his people into deep and meaningful experiences with him… bringing us into his presence… and speaking his promises and encouragements to us… it is just that it is most likely going to happen when we least expect it. How humbling to think that it is God’s faithfulness that brings Jacob to this moment… not Jacob’s intention. God is orchestrating for us moments to meet him when we are simply going about our day.

Do not fear the “hero’s journey”… the path that God is leading you on. God inhabits the places we may consider mundane and basic. God is ready to meet you when you are most tired and worn out … when you feel like you have a rock for a pillow. He will encourage you and give you his promises. God meets his people along their tough journeys. Throughout history following this episode, this place - Bethel - would become a special place. God’s presence is uniquely found there. I think God gives his people their own “Bethels”… places where they find him.

God’s presence is indeed all around us (we call this omnipresence in theological terms) but his presence is also uniquely manifest in certain places. Later in the scriptures we see this worked out in different ways such as the burning bush with Moses, the Shekinah Glory in the wilderness, the Tabernacle, the Temple, and most importantly in Jesus. God is uniquely present in certain places and in certain ways for his children. This begs the question: Where are some of the places God has met YOU most deeply? Where is your “Bethel”? If it is possible, stop by there today. Go to one of the places where God has met you and spend some time in prayer and thanksgiving today. Maybe it means a short trip this weekend… or a hike tomorrow. Whatever it is, do not forget the places God has uniquely met you and revealed himself to you.

Maybe you have not experienced anything like this… that is ok. God is working. He is going to meet you. Maybe start by simply asking him … ask him to give you “eyes to see” his Kingdom and “ears to hear” his voice. For Jacob it was in a dream. It may be in a dream that the Lord meets you. When and where you least expect it, I bet that is when it happens. You are his child… we are his people… he is with us on our journey. Christ with us, each step of the way. God is making the normal places of this earth holy by his presence and through his people. More to come. Love you guys. - JDP