Climbing Jacob’s Ladder

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By Deborah K. Anderson

Are you discouraged with your writing? Does it feel as though you’re climbing an endless ladder, trying to break your way into this industry? Does loneliness overwhelm you?

If you’re experiencing any of the above, I have good news for you. You are not alone. A man named Jacob endured similar situations.

“And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep” (Genesis 28: 11 KJV).

Think about it, Jacob was there all night, in a strange place, in the dark. He had no heat, central air, or electricity-no laptop. Not only that, the man had to sleep with rocks under his head. I whine if I don’t have two pillows to support my noggin.

Ahem.

But God called Jacob, didn’t He? In fact, God gave him dreams.

“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12 KJV).

Okay, so Jacob wasn’t climbing the ladder here, but the contraption reached to heaven for goodness’ sake. Sound familiar?

Yet the angels were climbing up and down on it, weren’t they?

I wonder why.

“And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the god of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed” (Genesis 28:13 KJV).

Bingo. God stood at the top, watching over everything, and declared a promise to Jacob. What promise has He given you?

Speaking of which, just because God gives someone a promise doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Sometimes we have to fight for our blessings, just as Jacob did below.

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God, and with men, and hast prevailed,” (Genesis: 32:24-28 KJV)
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Poor Jacob, alone again, struggling for a blessing-reminds me of a certain profession.

But the man wouldn’t give up.

Neither should you. You’ll miss your blessing otherwise.

No matter how many obstacles cross your path along this journey, remember the call God’s placed on your life.

Climb.

The heavens await you at the top.

In 2000, Deborah K. Anderson left the medical field to care for her elderly mother. Soon after, she began writing. She has written for Focus on the Family, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and numerous other publications. She is a member of TWV, ACFW, CWG, SCBWI, and FCW. Married 30 years, Deborah and her husband enjoy country living in the Midwest. She also spends her time rescuing cats, reading novels, and taking nature walks. Deborah recently completed her first Christian supernatural suspense novel.

Comments 0

  1. I give my thanks to God for Him leading me to this web site and to your awesome story of encouragement. I am in the process of writing two Christain based fiction novels and although I took the course of climbing the “corp” ladder and put my passion for writing on th bookshelf of life long ago, it has recently surfaced. I wold love it if yu could share (email) me any tips, or suggestions as to how to go about submitting my manuscripts to publishers for review and possible publishing. thak you for your time, and God bless…..

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