The above image is from Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups by Ned Bustard. It is called “Isaac Blesses Jacob” and was created by Wayne Forte.

Dear God, I’ve heard this definition of insanity attributed to several people and I don’t know who exactly said it, but the idea is that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That’s what I think of when I think about the ritual in many cultures that the eldest child is assumed to be the head of the children for that generation. The problem with that logic is that all one has to do is look at the Old Testament and see that it hardly ever worked out that way.

• Abel was younger than Cain and yet he was the one who pleased you more with his heart and his worship.
• Isaac was the son you wanted to bless even though Ishmael was Abraham’s first-born.
• Jacob was famously second to Esau and yet he received an unbelievable blessing from you that I still can’t believe.
• Joseph was not the oldest by a long shot, but he ended up being the most useful.
• Skipping forward, David was the youngest of his brothers and he was obviously the one you called for Israel.
• Solomon wasn’t anywhere near the oldest of David’s sons.

The list goes on and on. There is a flaw in our logic. I think I saw that Prince Harry’s new son is 7th in line to the throne of England. What? Picking your line of succession that way is like playing roulette. How can you possibly know through birth order who will be the next best king?

But let’s slow down. How often does our logic and intuition fail us as well? How many times have I hired the wrong person? How many times have I trusted the wrong person? How many times have a voted for the wrong person? In terms of King David, he certainly wasn’t Samuel’s first choice, and Samuel was really wise and clued into you.

No, at the end of the day, I think I need to 1.) seek your wisdom more and not lean on my own, and 2.) be prepared to walk down the road you have for me regardless of what it might hold. I remember when I was about to be a freshman in college I had been assigned a three-person dorm room with two other random guys. My mother had a friend whose son was going to my university and they decided to set us up as roommates. I remember protesting at the time, even telling her that I didn’t want to force anything, but let things play out the way you had set them up. But she did it and I ended up with a great roommate. The she go a little Rebekah on me and upset the natural order of things? Probably. But much like Rebekah’s decision, it probably worked out for the best.

Father, help me to first and foremost be sensitive to you and what you have to say to me. Love through me. Help me to give good counsel when asked and to know when to remain silent and admit that I don’t know. Give me your peace. Give me your discernment. But most importantly, give me your love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, etc. in all situations.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen