Oftentimes obedience to God requires a fast break – quickly pulling away from what is familiar, moving out from under what is oppressive and pressing forward in the face of paralyzing fear. Genesis 31:17-55 is the story of a fast break involving deceit, theft, a chase scene and twenty years of pent-up strife that explodes in conflict. How does God meet Jacob in his obedience with a timely reminder that enables him to face his fears? And how is that reminder ours to hold onto as we step out in obedience?

Just when you think things are too broken or out of control, just when you think the emptiness and pain will never let up and the decisions you made will haunt you forever. Just when you think God is nowhere to be found and you’ve been left to your own devices, Genesis 30-31 come at us with a family steeped in jealousy, comparison, injustice, sex for hire and more. How is the hidden hand of God at work through this crazy-complicated and broken family? And what does that mean for our crazy-complicated and broken lives?

No matter how weird or inappropriate it seemed or how socially unacceptable it was, she made up her mind. She knew it might cost her reputation and get people upset - but none of that mattered. John 12 is the story of a follower of Jesus willing to look like a fool and give up what others don’t understand in order to honor Jesus. How does a totally awkward dinner scene become a picture of the unrestrained devotion we’re called to display?