When Life Surprises You: The Moment Everything Changes
Imagine you have built a business, a team, or a dream project from the ground up. It's grown beyond what you expected. Now, you're ready to pass some of what you've made to the next generation—the people who come after you, or the new part of yourself that's ready to take over. But right as you make plans, something unexpected happens, and you realize you have to face your past and trust your awareness, even if it goes against what everyone else thinks is “common sense.”
This is what it feels like when one generation in a family, business, or dream has to let go so a new one can rise up. It's also at the heart of Genesis 48—a story that, on the surface, is about a family, but deep down, it's about you and your own inner world.
The Story in Simple Terms: Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons
Here’s what happens in Genesis 48:
- Jacob (also called Israel) is old and sick, near the end of his life.
- Joseph, his son (who is now a powerful leader in Egypt), brings his own two boys, Manasseh and Ephraim, to visit their grandfather.
- Jacob wants to bless these grandsons. But he does something surprising—he crosses his arms, putting his right hand (the hand used for the greatest blessing) on the younger grandson’s head, not the older.
- Joseph protests, but Jacob insists, saying, “I know what I’m doing.”
Let’s look at the key verses:
“Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger... and his left hand on Manasseh’s head... He blessed Joseph, and said, ‘The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked... bless the lads... Let my name be named on them...’”(Genesis 48:14–16 WEB)
Jacob, through awareness and a sense of purpose, makes a choice that breaks the “regular” rule. Instead of giving the biggest blessing to Manasseh (the firstborn), he gives it to Ephraim (the younger).
On the Surface: A Grandparent’s Last Gift
Literally, this is a story many people experience: a parent or grandparent, nearing life’s end, calls the family together to say important words and offer advice or gifts for the future. But something about their decision feels out of order, surprising, or even upsetting.
If you’ve ever hoped for a certain “place in line” at work, in a family, or on a team, and then watched as someone else was chosen instead—or if you’ve been the “Ephraim” who unexpectedly got pushed to the front—then you’ll connect to this story.
The True Adventure: Mapping the Inner World
Let’s go deeper. Every character in this story is not just a person in ancient times—they’re each a part of you.
- Jacob/Israel: the wise part of your awareness, who remembers, feels deeply, and can sense when it’s time for change, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- Joseph: the part of you that works, builds, and tries to make everything perfect and fair for the people or dreams you care about.
- Manasseh and Ephraim: your future dreams, ideas, or inner “children”—what you will create, and the new possibilities you can bring to life.
Awareness is like Jacob: it sees beyond tradition and routine. When you move beyond always doing things “the way they've always been done,” you start to sense new possibilities.
How the Surprise Blessing Connects to Your Life
Think about a time when the obvious solution or “old way” just didn’t feel right. Maybe you felt in your gut that a new approach was needed, even if you couldn’t fully explain why. That’s your deeper awareness.
- For entrepreneurs: Maybe you’ve built a successful company and planned for your oldest employee or partner to take over, but you sense someone else (maybe someone newer, less experienced, but full of fresh ideas) is the right choice.
- For creators: Perhaps you’ve worked hard on one project (your “firstborn”), but you feel drawn to something less developed, wilder, or not as “safe” (your “younger” dream).
- For anyone moving through change: Sometimes you think your next step will look like what’s familiar. But deeper down, you notice a new desire bubbling up, something surprising or out-of-order.
From Fairness to Alignment: Listen to Awareness, Not Just the Rules
Joseph wants things to be done “right”—the oldest should get the biggest blessing. He pulls his father’s hand to correct him. Jacob says:
“I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people... however, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his offspring will become a multitude...” (Genesis 48:19 WEB)
Joseph’s desire for fairness is important—it’s your practical side, making sure everything is set up and accounted for. But sometimes, what is “right” by the old rules isn’t in alignment with your new calling or longing inside.
Jacob is the wise awareness that’s not stuck in rules. He trusts the feeling that the most alive part of your future might not be the obvious, oldest, or safest route.
Who Decides What Comes Next?
Think about your own turning points. Have you ever tried to “correct” your deeper awareness—maybe ignoring a gut feeling because tradition, the market, or your past said something else was “right”? What happened when you did that? Did you ever wish you’d trusted your feeling instead?
Real Growth Means Letting Go of What Should Be
Jacob’s eyes are described as dim with age, but his “inner sight” is sharp. He sees from a wisdom that goes beyond what is visible.
“Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he couldn’t see. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.” (Genesis 48:10 WEB)
You might feel unclear when change is coming. The practical facts might not all line up. But your awareness, your “inner Jacob,” feels which direction brings the most aliveness and growth.
- Letting go of old dreams (the “firstborn”) so a new, unexpected one can take the lead.
- Allowing yourself to change business direction, even if it breaks the plan everyone expected.
- Choosing to invest in your less-experienced team member who shows real vision—because you sense it’s right, not just because it’s fair.
Putting It to the Test: Reflections From Modern Life
If you’ve watched an episode of “Shark Tank” (a TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to seasoned businesspeople), you’ve seen something like this. Sometimes, a person will present an amazing, polished project—their “firstborn.” Everyone expects this will be their winner. But then the entrepreneur shares a side idea, something they haven’t shown anyone yet. A wise investor will often say, “I feel your passion there. That’s what will work!” The safe, expected project steps aside for the younger, unexpected one. That’s Genesis 48 in action—a moment where deep awareness guides choices, not just tradition or rules.
Living the Principle: How Awareness Moves Through You
This chapter teaches five key steps that everyone can use, especially when a big change or new opportunity shows up:
- Notice the turning point. Your awareness will sense when something is ending and something new is being born.
- Bring your dreams “to the wise part of you.” Let your imagination and your practical mind be present at the same table.
- Listen for deeper clarity. Sometimes the blessing, the biggest opportunity, goes to the “younger” or less-developed idea, project, or team member. Don’t ignore the surprise.
- Respect tradition, but don’t be trapped by it. Joseph protests, but Jacob stays true to his inner knowing. Both voices are important.
- Bless all parts of your journey. Jacob blesses both grandchildren—not just one. In your own adventure, honor both the safe and the surprising. Each will have their time.
Key Reflection: What Is Trying to be Born in You?
Pause and ask:
- What dream or project in your life is the “firstborn”—the obvious next choice?
- What surprising desire, longing, or new direction is the “younger,” not-quite-ready part?
- Are there places where you’re following old rules, but your awareness feels pulled in a new direction?
- When was the last time you trusted a choice, not because it followed the usual pattern, but because it felt alive and true?
Takeaway Exercise: Try the Blessing Test
Tonight, write down two things you want for your future:
- The “expected” one—what feels safe or what others expect from you.
- The “surprising” one—an idea, feeling, or direction you’re attracted to, even if it feels out of order.
Sit with both. Pretend you are Jacob: close your eyes, and feel which one brings the sharpest sense of energy or aliveness, even if it doesn’t make the most logical sense. For tomorrow, bless that one. Give it your focus and see what happens.
What’s Next: Genesis 49
In the next chapter, Jacob will call all his sons around and speak a unique blessing over each. You’ll see how every part of your inner world—and every member of your team or family—has a role to play. It’s about finding your place in the bigger story and understanding how every part of you can be honored, not just the “chosen one.”
Remember, the journey of growing awareness, just like the journey in Genesis, is never about following rules for the sake of rules. It’s about staying awake to what wants to happen next, and having the courage to choose the path—expected or surprising—that gives life its true adventure.
