There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. Genesis 35:7
Bethel was a significant place for Jacob. Up until that first encounter, God had been the God of his grandfather and his father, but perhaps not Jacob’s God. Bethel would always be the place where Jacob received his own personal revelation.
Fast forward a couple of wives, a quiver full of kids, and a whole bunch of livestock later: Bethel seems a long time ago. There is no indication that Jacob made a deliberate decision to leave God behind. He just got busy with life. Sound familiar?
Like Jacob, we can look back over our shoulder and remember significant places, times, or events where we, too, had an encounter with God. Just remembering that mountain-top experience may stir up a longing for a new revelation or a new word from God. Like Jacob, rather than pushing forward to a new place, what we really might need to do is go back. “When stuck, go in reverse” may have spiritual, as well as physical application to life. Where do you and I need to go back? What truth or revelation is already hidden in our hearts and minds that simply needs re-examined and a fresh re-commitment?
Have you forgotten to pray? Is the Bible growing dusty? Have you found sleeping in trumps fellowship with others on Sunday mornings? Have you forgotten the blessing of really loving others sacrificially?
Are you stuck somewhere you really don’t want to be? Try going in reverse. Go back to Bethel.
