Waiting for all the Isaacs

Back in the summer, my sister and I got to attend an Eric and Leslie Ludy simulcast conference. I really enjoyed most of what I heard, and you know how there's that one thing that seems to stick with you? Well Leslie said something that has just stuck.

She used the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar (and eventually Ishmael and Isaac). She equated Abraham to us, and Sarah and Hagar as choices to our goal (Ishmael and Isaac).

As the story goes, God has promised a child to Abraham. This is God's PROMISE. And He never backs down on those. This child, however, did not come in Abraham's timing. And his aging wife's hope was beginning to wane. But never fear! The faulted, sinful, flawed, human woman has an idea! Instead of waiting for God's timing, she suggest to her husband that he just marry her maidservant (Hagar) and try for that promised child that way. It would be a child, and God had promised one, so surely it was ok. It wasn't happening with Sarah, so why not?

Abraham is now onto in a second marriage, and BAM! Hagar gets pregnant. *9 months later* ITS A BOY! But not all is good. Listen to what God says to Hagar when she gets pregnant:

“Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has heard your affliction. 

 He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”

 Yay, Abraham had his boy now! As the boy (Ishmael) grew, Sarah's resentment did as well. And as predicted, Ishmael would eventually become a very violent, hated guy.

God, being the faithful loving God that He is, comes back to Abraham 13 years later, and again reminds Abraham of His promise to him. Sarah, his now old wife, laughed. Thus her son was named Isaac (because it means laughter, which to me is God's way of reminding us that He does in fact have a sense of humor).

Again, we wait *9 months* and HERE HE IS! Abraham's second boy! Isaac, the promised child. The one whom God was blessing from the beginning. Little did Abraham know so very long ago, that on one knee sat a nation of hostility that to this day is causing devastating problems with the nation that sat on his other knee.

God had a promise. Abraham had a way. He chose another way, and he got an Ishmael. And God, still had his Isaac waiting for just the right time.

Leslie used this in relation to relationships, saying that often girls deceive themselves into thinking that what the have (or what is obtainable at that time) is the best they'll ever get. But the truth of the matter is, when we pine after these less than respectable avenues, we are pursuing Hagar, and we end up with Ishmael. Dear girls! Hold on! God has Sarah waiting for you to chase after her (Sarah simply being His will.) And Sarah brings Isaac, and Isaac is God's best for you. It is His promise to you.

She used it speaking about relationships, yes, but it can apply easily to so many things in life. Jobs, churches, friends, and yes, relationships.

How often do we chose Hagar and end up with Ishmaels when God wants us to pursue Sarah and have our Isaac? Where are we settling where God wants to give us better, because what we have is not what is best?

Coming next..."Surrendering all to the Father of all Good things"