A Positive Attitude is The Beginning Of A Deeper Walk With God

Genesis 29:26-28  -  Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.   Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

Jacob found a home with his uncle. He even felt love for his younger daughter. As wages for working for Laban he was to have Rachel as his wife in seven years. But Jacob got a taste of his own medicine…so to speak. He was deceived by Laban on his wedding night and ended up with the older sister Leah. He got Rachel as well a week later…but had to work another 7 years for her.

Jacob must have learned something from his years with Laban…for he didn’t give up and become bitter. He was willing to work as long as it took for him to have Rachel as well. His attitude of persistence gave him a boldness …a strength to work the next seven years to get what he wanted.  He learned in those 14 years that hard work is better than deception.

What a great reminder that attitude and hard work is everything. A positive attitude can help us learn the things God needs us to have if we are to be useful in his kingdom.  God’s timing and plan are not always obvious…we have to be willing to do what it takes to become what he needs us to be. It may take a week…or a year…or seven years…or fourteen.

It only took two or three years for Jesus. He was so focused and connected to his father that he was able to accomplish everything God had sent him to do in just 3 years after his baptism. It took 40 years for the Israelites….who complained and worshiped God so erratically …they never truly believed the promise waiting for them in the land of Canaan.

I have to admit that I am more like Jacob and the Israelites. I am learning to be more consistent with my worship and prayer and Bible study…but feel like I am playing catch up so many days of my life. It is so easy to fall back into old patterns instead of strengthening the old with more time with God. I need to work on being more persistent… and not giving in so easy to the flesh that holds me back from the doing the hard work God requires of us to learn who he is completely.

Father…thank you for the reminder that a positive attitude is the beginning of a deeper walk with you.  Forgive me for the times that I have let bitterness…jealously…and plain ole tiredness slow down the training schedule you had planned for me. Help me to stay more focused on you and continually connected with prayer and Bible study so that you can help me achieve what you sent me here to do.  Amen.