Genesis 31:2,3 – “And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.’”
According to North American Moving Services 75% of men stay in the same city where they were raised and 64% of women do the same. Marketplace website stated, “A new study from researchers at the U.S. Census Bureau and Harvard University says nearly 60% of young adults – the study measured people at age 26 – live within 10 miles of where they grew up. Eighty percent live within 100 miles.”
We are all creatures of habit and love the familiar. Change can be intimidating and overwhelming for some. The idea of predictability sounds soothing and comfortable. But those feelings can cause us to tolerate unhealthy situations when we should look for an alternative.
Our OYB reading for today reveals that Jacob realized something had changed in his relationship with his uncle Laban. Jacob once had favor with Laban but now that favor was gone. Laban even looked differently toward Jacob and Jacob noticed it. That’s when God told Jacob it was time to leave.
How do you know when it’s time to leave? It could be that losing favor is one of the indicators. You can tell things are different. You don’t make them smile anymore. They don’t look forward to your presence. You’re not making a difference anymore. Those may be signals that it’s time to leave…