阅读经文 

一首古老的圣诗这么唱道：“我是可怜的异乡客，行走在这充满灾祸的世界中。”当雅各在一个不属于他的地方开始安顿下来，他有机会回顾自己的一生是如何短暂的旅程——因为他自己的罪和他想靠自己的努力而操控属神祝福的渴望，这段旅程变得艰辛。

许多人也会如此来评估我们的生命：和雅各一样，我们希望事情按着我们的方式发展；像他一样，我们自我中心的罪使我们与神与人的交往变得复杂。

但神是信实的，祂不那么在乎雅各处在哪个地理位置。当这位先祖往回看的时候，他开始意识到自己的人生就是一趟朝圣之旅，一系列短暂的停靠使得他更深地进入神的恩典之中。这样的降卑使得雅各能真正地祝福别人，而这种祝福别人的方式是当他为自己而活的时候无法达成的。

神正带领你走向何方？当你四围观看这个“有祸的世界”，也要留心神如何使用这些难处使祂在你里面的工作变得更清晰。让我们向神献上感恩，因为所有与基督谦卑同行的人都会在恩典中看到与基督同在的天家。

An old folk-hymn proclaims, "I am a poor wayfaring stranger, while traveling through this world of woe. . . ." As Jacob settles once again in a place where he doesn't really belong, he has the opportunity to reflect on how his whole life has been a sort of journey—a journey made difficult at times by the effects of his own sins and his desire to manipulate his way into God's blessing.

Many of us could offer a similar assessment of our lives. Like Jacob, we want to make things work out our way. Like him, our self-centeredness and sin complicate our walk with God and others.

But God remains faithful. God isn't most interested in Jacob's geographic location. As the patriarch looks back, he begins to see that his life has been a pilgrimage, a series of temporary stops that have led him more deeply into God's grace. This humility gives Jacob the ability to bless others in a way that he was not able to do when he lived mainly for himself.

Where is God leading you? When you look around at this "world of woe," look also for ways in which God has used difficulties to make his work in you clearer. And give thanks that all who humbly journey with Christ can look forward to their true home with him, received by grace.