Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:13-14 NLT)
I thought that today’s subject — laughter — would take me someplace different in my Bible. I thought I’d find something in Proverbs that would be simple and inspirational. Instead I was drawn to this passage where God promises Abraham and Sarah that they will be the parents of a great nation. Sarah is 90 years old at the time — well beyond her childbearing years.
There is a lot more to this story. If you want all of the details, read the Book of Genesis starting at chapter 15. The highlight is that Sarah tries to rush God’s plan and takes matters into her own hands. Things get a little complicated after that. I’m sure thoughts of that situation were drifting through Sarah’s mind as she overheard God talking to Abraham. Yeah, I probably would have chuckled a little bit myself, shaking my head the entire time.
Come to think of it, I have laughed. Three months after my husband and I partnered with another couple to start a business we flew halfway across the country to attend some manditory compliance meetings. Our 4-year-old stayed home with Grandma. I had my husband to myself for the first time in awhile. Two weeks after we got home we found out our daugher was no longer going to be an only child. SURPRISE! Definitely not the timing we had in mind. I remember looking skyward after seeing those two little pink lines and asking God, “Did ya not notice that we just started a business?” Of course He did. Then it was His turn to just shake His head and laugh at me.
At first glance I didn’t think I had much in common with Sarah. She was 90 years old and childless. She lived in a world without any modern conveniences. Her husband had given her a very nomadic lifestyle. But then I looked a little closer. Like Sarah, I’ve tried to rush God into things that He told me would come in His time and made a mess in the process. I’ve hidden from Him after I’ve made a huge mistake and don’t understand how He can still love me and want to use me in His plan. And I’ve lied — to myself, God and others about how I really feel when it comes to being a part of His plan. I see more of Sarah in the mirror than I want some days. Like He did for Sarah, God also forgave and redeemed me. And He will do the same for you if you want Him to.
True to God’s word, when He came to visit Abraham a year later, Sarah had a son, named Isaac.
Isaac means “laughter.” What is God’s “laughter” in your life?
