Thanksgiving is here. This is the one week of the year that the world intentionally takes time out of the busyness of life to really reflect on the things we are grateful for.
I couldn’t help thinking to myself that this is the perfect week to say goodbye to one of the most influential, famous women in the Bible. As I read the end of verse 23:2 today I found myself unusually emotional. “Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.” It was in that moment I realized how real the characters of our story had become to me. Is it just me or as you read this do you feel it too? I realize that her real and raw vulnerability and her struggles had truly played a part in my relationship with Jesus. Sarah had faults, and she made mistakes. But as I write, God keeps reminding me of the question back from lesson 18. Our book had us read over Sarah’s faults, and then asked us why we think that the Holy Spirit led Peter to omit these events. (1 Peter 3-5) This had a huge impact on me. Surely there was so much more to Sarah then the mistakes she had made. And surely that meant the same for me.
Sarah is the only woman listed in Hebrews 11. This chapter in the book of Hebrews is dedicated to give an example of what faith is and what faith really looks like lived out. Looking at Sarah’s life I see so many qualities of a godly, faithful woman. Sarah was BRAVE and BOLD, she left everything she knew to accompany her husband Abraham on a uncertain journey. Sarah was LOYAL. She did as Abraham asked, she was SELFLESS and LONGSUFFERING, Sarah covered for her husband in a foreign land not once but twice as he put his own needs and safety before hers. Sarah was STRONG. When I think about the hurt of giving her husband to another woman or being unable to conceive for many, many years she displays a strength worth pointing out. Sarah was HUMBLE . Sarah was able to admit she was wrong and in the end was beyond grateful for the blessing God had given her. Reading of her holding Isaac in awe of God’s work and in that moment realizing the power of the God she served, is a beautiful picture of humility and reverence. Sarah was PROTECTIVE over the blessing she was given. She loved Isaac and cared for him fiercely. Though Sarah was flawed because she was human, she was REAL and AUTHENTIC. And for that I am most grateful.
I know I usually feel more like Genesis- Sarah then I do 1 Peter- Sarah. So today I’m grateful for the whole Word of God. In a world full of unrealistic goals and facades I’m so very thankful I get to see the ugliness and messiness of real people that did real things for the Kingdom of God. I’m thankful that when I feel like I’m faltering yet again, I can remember Sarah and everything she wasn’t; but know that I serve the same God that is so graciously leaving my mistakes out of my story too. She in her faithfulness and trust in God’s sovereign plan played a part in bringing me closer to Jesus and for that I am most thankful for. Sarah thank you, and goodbye.
