In today’s verses, Jacob is on the run, but he is under the watchful eye of God.
The church of my growing-up years in Fulton, Illinois, was called Bethel. It was situated on a hill near the Mississippi River. Growing up, I did not see that church as being “awesome” or the “gate of heaven,” but now, looking back, I see something that I did not see then.
I see more clearly than ever that my faith was molded within that community. Along with memories of my parents, I remember a youth counselor named Siebert, a pastor named Case, and a friend named Todd who was always there for me.
When we meet Jacob in Gene­sis 28, he is alone. He is not sure when, if ever, he can return home again. And yet God reminds him that he is not ­really alone. There is a connection between heaven and earth. Today, we might even call that connection . . . a church.
Dear God of heaven and earth, may “your kingdom come . . . on earth as it is in heaven.” May we open our eyes to see how your church can be a witness by connecting people to you. In Jesus, Amen.