It baffles me how something can be at work in your life, and you’re oblivious to it. In the same way, it is concerning to think you could be doing something your whole life, and it would be unbeknownst to you. The lives of Jacob and his uncle, Laban, describe the way that the systems of this world (whether knowingly or not) recognise the blessing of the Lord on your life and seek to have it for themselves. What’s worse is that we hand ourselves over to it because we don’t know any better. But God, He has a plan and a purpose for us, the author describes it as “a constellation” and despite our dealings with the world, or being in places we should never have found ourselves, God is on abound to honour His covenant with His children and bring us back into the path He has for us. 

As someone who was chasing everything that we world had to offer, everything my eyes could see, I wanted, I found myself lost. I couldn’t understand why either. I always loved God, I always pursued purpose, but it was after reading this book that I discovered the very thing that was eating away at me. The Laban Syndrome takes a neutral stance, it can’t kill the plans of God, it can only veer you off it. Walking astray is draining. It might seem fun for a season, even worthwhile, but nothing comes close to walking on the right path. I watched how, despite Jacob’s faults and despite how Laban took advantage of Him, God still wanted Jacob to walk in his constellation. He gave him wisdom on how to get out and changed his identity from who he was to who he truly is in the sight of the Lord. It encourages me and gives me hope that despite my faults and flaws, God has a plan and His plan is to prosper me, His plan is to give me hope and a better future. My favourite quote in this book is about this identity change, Jacob was named ‘Ya’aqob’ the supplanter; it was declared before he was born. “I will not allow Esau to have the birthright,” was the cry from the birthing moment. That is the real meaning of supplanter: To grab a heel at the most strategic time to prevent something from happening. As Jacob was wrestling with God, God asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob,” and the Bible says he had an epiphany, an awakening as the supplanter. He understood that all his life he had been tripping people up so that they could not reach their potential. In the process of identity change, God then declared “No longer will you be a supplanter; you will be Israel the liberator, the one to be the father of many nations. You will cause many people to reach their potential.” 

Where Has Laban Been At Work In My Life?

Chapter three unmasks the Laban Syndrome. I can with confidence say that I operated in all 11 characteristics of the syndrome, and they were all at play with me. I look back on the time I was pursuing a professional cricket career, and the economy of the sport is credentials, accomplishments and achievements. That was all I sought after because it was the only thing that gave me a drive and a purpose. It would be the only thing that I’d get a return on my investment for. Without it, you’re no one. If you don’t have the right connections or you aren’t constantly performing, you’re as good as dead. It’s a characteristic that goes both ways. More recently, I would say that the intuitiveness of the syndrome was at work in my life, both in me and against me. Seeing the “early warning signs” in the context of taking advantage is dangerous for various reasons. When doing it, you’re looking at an opportunity to help, as an opportunity to get what you want for selfish ambition. On the other side of the coin, you think that someone sees something in you and wants to bring the best out of you, only to find out that they want to use you for their own benefit. I’m grateful to be on the other side of it all, but it’s not as if the Laban Syndrome stops seeking to work in your life or through it. 

The Key Events In My Life That Are Part Of My Constellation:

Loads of things had to happen, but it was a phone call that changed the entire course of my life. Things were going good in my budding cricket career. I had one or two offers that would aid me in going to the next level. At this time, I was seeking a church to go to, and I had just about given up. A few days later, I received a phone call from a colleague whom I didn’t have a close relationship with at the time, but later became a dear brother to me, saying, “I had it on my heart to invite you to church”. That same weekend, I visited (128km away, mind you) and soon after I recognised the call of God on my life, quit cricket and started pursuing the plan God has for my life. God had literally called me, I answered with a yes, and now I’m well on my way to living completely sold out for Him!