We’ve all heard the saying, “Home is where the heart is.” But for Jacob in the Bible, home wasn’t just where the heart was—it was where he had a life-changing encounter with God. That place? Bethel.
Let’s rewind a little. Jacob wasn’t exactly a saint when he stumbled upon Bethel. He was running away from his brother Esau, who was understandably mad after Jacob tricked him out of his blessing. So here’s Jacob, tired, scared, and using a rock for a pillow (because that’s apparently a thing back then). In the middle of his mess, God showed up.
Cue the famous dream: a ladder stretching to heaven, angels ascending and descending, and God Himself standing at the top, promising Jacob that He would never leave him.
Bethel wasn’t just a pit stop; it was the place where God turned a fleeing, fearful Jacob into the carrier of a promise. It’s funny when you think about it—Jacob went to sleep with a rock under his head and woke up with a revelation over his life!
What Does Bethel Mean for Us?
Now, I know most of us don’t travel with rocks as pillows, but we all have our “Bethel moments.” Bethel wasn’t just a geographical spot—it was a moment of transformation, where Jacob encountered God in the middle of his fears and failures.
For us, Bethel is any place or moment where God meets us in our struggles and gives us a glimpse of His bigger plan. It’s the moment when the mundane turns into the miraculous, and the ordinary becomes sacred.
Maybe your Bethel is a quiet corner in your home where you’ve prayed through hard times, or that long drive where God gave you peace about a decision. It’s wherever God shows up and reminds you that He’s got a plan, even when life feels like a runaway mess.
The Practical Part: How to Find Your Bethel
So, how do we create space for our Bethel moments? Let’s look at a few practical steps:
1. Find Your Rock (Not Literally) – Just like Jacob rested in the middle of uncertainty, sometimes we need to pause. Life can get chaotic, and in the noise, we miss God's whispers. Set aside time for stillness, whether it’s early in the morning or during a lunch break. God often speaks when we stop running and start resting.
2. Be Open to the Unexpected – Jacob wasn’t expecting a divine encounter in the wilderness, but God loves to show up in surprising ways. Stay open to hearing from God in the places you least expect—like during a walk, in a conversation with a friend, or even in the middle of your everyday routines
3. Remember Your Bethels – After Jacob’s encounter, he set up a stone as a memorial, so he’d never forget what God had done. It’s important to reflect on the times God has shown up in your life. Whether it’s journaling, setting a reminder on your phone, or just pausing to thank God for past victories, keeping track of your Bethel moments builds faith for future ones.
Just for laughs 😂:
Imagine Jacob’s conversation the next morning: “So, I had this dream last night… and now I own the land. Yeah, it was a pretty big deal.” And while most of us probably won’t wake up with divine real estate promises, we can take heart knowing that God has big plans for us, even when we feel like we’re just trying to get through the day.
Let's conclude by saying;
Your Bethel Awaits
God’s not done with you yet. Wherever you are—whether you're running like Jacob or resting in faith—Bethel is waiting. Your next encounter could be right around the corner, transforming your ordinary into something extraordinary. So, grab your metaphorical pillow (or rock) and get ready. God’s got some big promises coming your way!
#BeyondBeckyKe
This is an awesome read. Very timely.
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