Taking the kingdom part 2: The race is not to lucky, but to those who overcome

Jacob’s chutzpah was a celebrated characteristic in Jewish history. By a Shakespearean twist he became an afterthought after his twin raised his hand.

First-born status was a big deal in Jewish custom, but it still had to be confirmed by the father. Thus Jacob’s first 3 sons disqualified themselves and his blessing fell to Judah.

Whatever fate decided his status in childhood and the resulting stigma, was moot. The blessing was still in play, but his brother didn’t care and sold it for some stew.

Jacob fought harder and even deceived his ageing father, to confirm the blessing.

It all came down to opportunity and how he prepared for what Malcolm Gradwell described as the moment when opportunity meets preparation.

So what is your natural “birth-right”? What sleight of fate reduced you to a lesser child? What past injustice haunts your life? What defines your disadvantage?

Forget it. Opportunity is for those who prepare, wait, fight and persist. We are not lucky in Christ, we merely grasped what was “up for grabs”.

Blessings in God are also not the stuff of luck or pagan formula, they fall to those are reach out for what God has promised to all who overcome.

(c) Peter Missing: bethelstone@gmail.com