Competition and Proliferation
Gen 30:5-20
Reuben – “because the Lord has seen my affliction”. Simeon – “because the Lord has heard I am unloved”. Levi – “now my husband will be attached to me”. Judah – “Praise!” Dan – “God has vindicated me”. Naphtali – “I have indeed prevailed”. Gad – “how fortunate”. Asher – “happy am I”. Issachar – “God has given me my wages”. Zebulun – “now my husband will dwell with me”.
This is the competition for meaning by the things that we do or the things that we have. Of course this competition is about children whom we never really have – they have minds and stories of their own.
Yet competition drove proliferation. Rebekah was content with one child. God wanted children for Isaac more numerous than the stars in the sky.
God’s will being done even in competition.
May I come to the place of praise and let my only competition be the fierce determination to not waste the potential of this moment.
