The Joy of Walking with a Forever Limp

“Strut over here and you’ll be limping back.” I was probably in junior high the first time I heard that zinger, but no one had to translate it for me. I instinctively understood those were throw down words, meant to inform the person who was brewing for a fight that the speaker was fully prepared to do battle.

I like to give credit where credit’s due, but I’ve been unsuccessful in tracing that line to the original source. On the other hand, it brings to mind a certain Bible story and I do know where it’s found.

In the 32nd chapter of Genesis we read of a long ago night when a patriarch of the faith named Jacob wrestled with an angel of God, a Man later revealed to be God Himself. At the conclusion of their wrestling, just as dawn was breaking, God gave Jacob His blessing. And then God touched Jacob’s hip in such a way that left the Biblical figure with a distinctive limp that would serve as a reminder of what had transpired.

That narrative is dear to me these days because I walk with my own God given limp. And what’s more, I never want it to heal.

God knew from the moment of my salvation that I would need continual cleansing and continual enabling by His Spirit to walk with Him. Sadly, it took me a lot longer to figure it out. I set off in full confidence to do this Christian thing with the insurance of my conversion in my hip pocket. Only my life didn’t look anything like the overcoming abundant experience I saw detailed in His book. I didn’t have to wrestle with God as long as I did to learn that I needed Him on an ongoing basis and not just for my salvation, but I’m glad the truth finally got through this thick head of mine. These days, I walk with a God given limp that has me leaning heavily on my sweet Jesus. I know full well that I can’t live for Him without living with Him. In other words, I may have strutted out, but I limped back and our relationship is all the stronger for it.

A forever limp is a wonderful thing. I hope you have one of your own.