Sarah's Laughter Is My Doubt

Abraham’s warm hospitality is a gift that he gives freely to his visitors in today’s reading from Genesis. He ensures that they are cared for and well fed. God multiplies Abraham’s gift (He is never outdone in generosity) and announces to him that Sarah will have a son (Genesis 18:10).

Upon hearing this, Sarah laughs (Genesis 18:12).

I think about the times in my own life when I have secretly scoffed at the encouraging words of a friend or have doubted the work that the Good Lord can do in my own life. Jesus has never given me a reason to doubt Him—He died for my sins—but in my human condition, I am wired this way and have to fight against disbelief every day.

I don’t laugh when new life is born, when someone announces their pregnancy, or when someone is cured from cancer. I praise God. I thank Him. I believe! For myself, however, it’s an entirely different story.

Maybe you feel this way too. Maybe you’re a cheerleader for other people but not for yourself. It's almost like we close off the invitation for Jesus to do something great in our lives because we have become jaded from our exposure to living in the world. We have become great cynics of the powerful work God can do in our lives even though we ask Him to do the extraordinary for us in prayer.

God gave Sarah what she yearned for, yet when the time came for her to receive news about her coming pregnancy, she laughed. Is it too much to believe that God desires to work miraculous deeds in our everyday lives?

Sister, nothing is too marvelous for the Lord (Genesis 18:14). It may be for us, but it’s not for Him, and with His grace He will work through us, with us, and in us. Let's learn from Sarah and believe in our unbelief.

May we turn our laughter and doubt into great works of praise. May we be ready to receive the miracle God has ready for us in our own lives with open arms like Abraham. Amen.

God desires to work miraculous deeds in our everyday lives. // Mytae Carrasco WallaceClick to tweet

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