Wrestling for the Blessing

Those who are "born of God" (John 1:13) have an identity in Christ which is not derived from race or nationality, nor from family or culture, nor our own ingenuity. This is a birthright which comes only when we receive Christ as the One Isaiah called our "Eternal Father" (Isaiah 9:6). For only a Father can give the right to be called a child. Only the Father's blessing can be the blessing of a birthright. So, ultimately, everyone must wrestle with God for the Father's blessing, that is, our personal identity as a child of God. And we must "wrestle with God for the blessing" as Jacob did (Genesis 32) - an intensive seeking, believing, and receiving from God in a "face-to-face" encounter. This type of engagement with God gives us faith, enables us to "own" or "personalize" our God-given identity, and brings us into a "rest" - a spiritual place where we cease from our own works of putting forth an adopted persona and enter into a secure authenticity that only comes from finding your personal identity in Christ.