Human

Being Human — The Conversation We Often Avoid 

Anchor Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

There is a tension many believers quietly carry — the space between who Scripture says we are and what we experience daily. We know we are new creations, yet we still battle anger, impatience, distraction, insecurity, and sometimes even doubt.

So what exactly is the goal? Perfection?

Perhaps, perfection is not the destination we should be chasing. Perhaps, we should focus on relationship. Perfection can feel rigid and unreachable, but relationship invites honesty, allowing us to come before God without rehearsed speeches or spiritual performance. It makes room for the truth. 

The truth is that we are still growing. Growth, after all, is rarely dramatic. More often, it is built in ordinary moments — choosing to talk to God about the small things, inviting Him into decisions that seem too mundane to matter, and acknowledging emotions instead of pretending they are not there.

There is a refreshing simplicity in the realisation that God does not require our polish. Instead,  He welcomes our sincerity. And perhaps even more comforting is this perspective: God is not standing at a distance waiting for us to get it right — He is drawing us closer, even in our humanity.

You need to understand that transformation is often gradual. Reflecting on the work of the Holy Spirit, we ask, ‘if God lives within us, why doesn’t transformation happen instantly?’

It does not happen instantly because most transformation is progressive. Scripture describes us as being changed “from glory to glory,” and that language suggests movement — a journey rather than a sudden arrival. The Holy Spirit shapes us patiently, dealing with layers of the heart over time.

This realisation lifts an unnecessary burden. We do not have to pretend maturity we have not yet developed. Instead, we acknowledge our limitations and depend on God daily. Honesty becomes the doorway to real growth.

One person that exemplifies this is Jacob. Seeing Jacob differently with our hearts already softened by this theme of humanity, we return to Genesis and look again at the life of Jacob. It is easy to reduce Jacob to a single description — deceptive, cunning, opportunistic. But what happens when we pause long enough to see the human being within the story? Jacob wanted what God had promised, yet he tried to secure it through his own strategy. The blessing was already part of God’s plan, but impatience complicated the journey.

And isn’t that familiar?

How often do we try to “help” God fulfill His promises?

How often do we rush seasons that require trust?

One of the clearest lessons to take away is that there is no need to rush God. When we force outcomes, we sometimes create struggles that were never meant to be part of our story. Jacob eventually walked in the blessing, but not without years of tension, displacement, and refining. Yet even here, grace speaks loudly. Because despite every misstep, God never withdrew His promise. Jacob’s journey reminds us that our mistakes may shape the path, but they cannot cancel God’s faithfulness.

It is important that we make the distinction between a birthright and a blessing. A birthright speaks to inheritance — what is yours by position. A blessing, however, carries something deeper. It speaks of favour, spiritual authority, empowerment, and divine endorsement. It is possible to hold a position and yet not fully walk in the blessing attached to it. 

Throughout Scripture, blessings often flow in alignment with the purposes of God, sometimes in ways that overturn human expectations. This reflection gently shifts our focus from entitlement to alignment. It invites us to pursue not just what belongs to us, but who God is shaping us to become.

This comes with a simple realisation that many people are doing the best they know how to do and we need to extend grace to them. When we remember this, it becomes harder to quickly label others as difficult, manipulative, or flawed. Instead, compassion grows. Interestingly, the grace we extend outward then becomes the grace we learn to offer ourselves because the truth is that we are all still becoming.

For those who naturally lean toward performance, this can be especially challenging. Falling short can feel like failure. But understanding who we are in Christ reframes the narrative. We begin to realise that without God, our humanity is limited. With Him, we step into strength we did not manufacture, kindness we did not rehearse, and resilience we cannot fully explain. Even the desire to know God more is evidence of His life at work within us.

Knowing who we are in Christ is not a one-time revelation; it is something the Holy Spirit continually unfolds. It is the difference between living cautiously and living consciously. When we truly grasp that God is at work within us, we stop relating to Him from fear and start responding from belonging. We recognise that the hunger to grow, the discomfort with spiritual stagnancy, and the longing for deeper connection are all signs of life. Perhaps, the invitation is not to strive harder, but to lean in more fully — allowing God to reveal us to ourselves.

Jacob’s story ultimately becomes a story of transformation. At some point, he is no longer just Jacob; he becomes Israel. The shift is more than a name change — it reflects an inner work, a reshaping of identity. Maybe, that is where hope quietly settles for all of us.

God is not intimidated by our humanity. He is committed to our transformation. The journey may include missteps, detours, and seasons of wrestling, but His intention remains steady. He continues the work, patiently leading us toward the fullness of who we are meant to be.

In conclusion, we must never forget that one truth stands out clearly: God is not asking us for perfection — He is inviting us into a relationship. Being human does not disqualify us from walking with Him. If anything, it is the very reason His grace meets us so consistently. So we keep showing up honestly while depending on God and opening ourselves for growth. As we do these, we discover that transformation is already underway in quiet, steady, and deeply intentional ways. 

Remember that from glory to glory, He continues the beautiful work of making us more like Him.