The Old Testament or Covenant, as it is sometimes called, is the history of God's people discovering God's presence and God's protection even through disguises. Jacob in wrestling with an angel discovered he had in fact wrestled with God.

There are many different ways in which we wrestle with God, but the opportunity presented Jacob was with a profound discovery; that the Divine Presence is everywhere. That no matter where you are you are standing on "holy ground".

Jacob names the place, Bethel, gateway or door. It symbolizes the door or passage to heaven, a phrase which we used commonly throughout the Jubilee 2000. We stand before this gate many times each day, in the midst of our daily living, in the opportunity to experience compassion.

In the gospel, Jesus opens the door of opportunity to healing. In one case it is the faith of a woman simply touching the hem of his garment; and in the other, Jesus grabbing the hand of the little girl. How interestingly different this story might have played out had Jairus protested the intrusion of this Canaanite woman at this moment of his critical need; if he had said: Get out of here I was here first.

The story demonstrates as does the Jacob story that God's mercy is not limited to a specific place or time. He is the source of recovery for all sorts of hurting people, no matter what the issue. Recognizing our need and turning to God in faith are the first steps toward recovery.

And if we are to recognize these opportunities, these portals to Divine Presence, than we must practice living awareness. Where are those places for you? How do you anoint them and how do you name them?