Let’s talk about Jacob. When we first meet him, he’s not exactly who you’d expect God to use.
He’s a liar, a manipulator, a man who doesn’t mind bending the rules if it gets him what he
wants. He takes his brother Esau’s birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), and then, to make it worse, he deceives his blind father, Isaac, to steal a blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29).

I’m sure, at this point, you might be thinking, How could God use someone like that? 

But here’s the thing: God didn’t call Jacob because he was perfect. He called him because God sees beyond our flaws. And what does that say to us? Maybe you’ve messed up. Maybe you’ve done things you regret. But hear me, God’s not looking for perfection—He’s looking for a willing heart. You see, God can take your worst mistakes and turn them into something beautiful. That’s grace.

Wrestling with God
Now, let me tell you the turning point. Jacob goes through a night of wrestling—not just with his brother or his father, but with God Himself (Genesis 32:24-30). This wasn’t just a physical fight. It was a fight for his identity. A fight for his future. A fight for the very purpose God had for him.

And God didn’t just let him go. No. God touched his hip and changed his name—Jacob became Israel, “he who struggles with God.” From that moment on, Jacob was never the same. He had a new identity.

Let me ask you this: How many times have you wrestled with your own past? Your own
choices? Wondering if you’re really cut out for what God has planned for you? Jacob’s wrestling wasn’t just about physical strength—it was about surrender. And it’s in our struggles, in our surrender, that we often find our true purpose.

A New Beginning
You see, Jacob’s transformation wasn’t just for him. He was about to become the father of
twelve sons, the twelve tribes of Israel. This wasn’t just a name change—it was a destiny shift.
Jacob’s story was no longer about deception; it was about purpose. God didn’t just wipe away
his past. He redeemed it.

And that’s what God does for us. Your story, my friend, it’s not over. No matter how far you’ve
fallen, no matter how messy things seem, God’s still writing your story. You don’t have to be
perfect to be used by God. You just have to be willing to let Him take the broken pieces and
make something new. 

What About You? 

So, what’s holding you back? Maybe you’re sitting there today, like Jacob, wondering if your
mistakes are too big for God to overcome. But the truth is this: God can use everything about
you—your flaws, your struggles, your journey—to fulfill His purpose.  

And here’s the kicker—sometimes, the very thing you’ve been wrestling with is the thing God
wants to use to bring you to your purpose. Your greatest struggle could be the seed of your
destiny.

So I ask you today, are you ready to embrace a new identity? Are you ready to stop fighting
against God’s plan and start wrestling for the destiny He has set before you?

Your story isn’t over. God is still writing it. 

Reflect on This: 

● Your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. God can redeem it.
● Wrestling with God isn’t about fighting Him; it’s about surrendering to Him.
● Don’t wait for perfection to step into God’s plan. He uses broken vessels to do mighty
things.

Where Do You Go From Here? 

Maybe you’ve been running from your calling. Maybe you’ve been fighting a battle that seems too big to win. But today, I want you to understand something—your destiny is bigger than your past. It’s time to stop wrestling with your identity and start walking in the purpose God has for you. He’s got a new name for you. Are you ready to embrace it?