Daily Devotion, June 14, 2020

Devotion: Read Genesis 25:19-27.

  From the time they were toddlers, these twin boys were competitive. The one who was born second, Jacob, had a name that certainly fit is personality. He was always seeking after whatever his brother Esau had. The midwives who assisted with their birth told that even when they were born, that second baby was grasping his brother’s heel. Rebekah, their mother, said this rivalry had started even before they were born. She said it felt like they were wrestling inside of her!

  So Jacob developed this reputation very early in his life. And he continued to live into it as he grew. What reputation have you developed during your lifetime? All of us have experiences and situations from our younger days which shaped us. Some we are proud of; others, not so much. Did you continue to live into an early reputation or learn to live differently?

  The good news of Jesus Christ is that if there are life experiences that have tainted your reputation, God can give you the wisdom and power to change and become a whole new person. You can develop a new reputation. You can be known by other traits and characteristics. You can become someone through whom other people can see and meet Jesus Christ for themselves. May we all learn and live into that mission! Personal Worship Option: No matter your reputation now, how would you like for it to change in the next 3-5 years? Pray and ask God to guide you in making that change.