Bibledoorajar looks at God's Wisdom and the Motives of People

                              "... in my dream, I seemed to see a woman
                                both young and fair; along a plain she gathered
                                flowers, and even as she sang, she said:
                               Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah,
                                and I apply my lovely hands to fashion
                                a garland of the flowers I have gathered."

                                                         Purgatorio by Dante

Jacob had set as his goal to live for God. God had set as His goal for Jacob to father a great nation. Jacob had declared that if God would bless Him, he would follow Him. He had found the girl of his dreams and was ready to move forward. But his uncle disappointed him by giving him Leah in marriage instead. But Laban calmly says that it is the custom for the elder to marry first and that Jacob could also have Rachel in exchange for another seven years of labor. Some would call this unfair persecution, but Jacob immediately agreed to the seven years in order to gain the one he dearly loved. It sets the scene for much human conflict. Two women and one man and a price to be paid for both.

It seems that in God's realm there is often a price to be paid in following Him and accomplishing what He desires. People disappoint yet through these experiences God's will moves forward. Isn't it wonderful that God's will can be accomplished in spite of questionable motives and hard situations?
Jacob was willing to do whatever was necessary to get Rachel. Are you willing to take steps no matter how costly or hurtful to achieve something for God? Can you endure the ways of a fellow Christian in order to accomplish a ministry goal? Leah was needed by God and, though she became a thorn in the flesh of Rachel, she produced six of Jacob's sons. Remember no price we pay for accomplishments in God's realm can ever outweigh the price He paid when He gave us Jesus. Faith calls for endurance.