The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you…”
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her…”
Genesis 12:1-2; 16:1-2
If there’s a woman in the Scriptures I suppose I relate to the most, it would be Sarah. I know that she did some pretty thoughtless things that are still affecting our world today; however, the bottom line is that I often react the same way she did. Women are pretty much the same across time and cultures. So, here are the basic reasons why I see some comparison:
1) On the downside, I often try to play God of my own life, just as she did, and manipulate circumstances to get what I want. Just like Sarah, I find that when I do, the repercussions are often detrimental. God always knows best! While it’s within his power to stop me, sometimes, he simply sits back and watches as I mess up, in order that I can learn and come out conforming more to the image of his Son.
2) On the upside, just like Sarah, my life has been a bit transient. It seems like God has interrupted our lives at some of the most comfortable moments, and moved us on to something new – a different house, a different city, a different state, a different country, and always, a different ministry… Often, as with Abraham and Sarah, God doesn’t even give us the complete details. However scary and painful this might be, especially for a woman who automatically develops a root system in order to thrive, I’ve learned that God always knows best! He’s never failed to bring me into a “good land” and a place of abundance.
Here’s the bottom line of what I have learned from a manipulator like Sarah –
· God is Sovereign. He’s never off of his throne. He is always in control.
· God has my best interests at heart. Where he leads will always be for my good.
· It is always best for me to keep my hands to myself, and stop trying to “fix” my life according to my agenda. I need to stop playing God, and start praying… As I prayerfully seek him, he never fails to answer (Jeremiah 33:3).
Oh Lord, we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you!
(2 Chron. 20.12)