We are at the pool on a hot day. It is a scene that repeats itself when there is water, a hot day and rambunctious kids who want to get wet in the quickest way possible. They make a running, flying leap into the pool to make the biggest splash possible. EVERYONE gets wet who is close by, in or out of the water! That’s just how it is.
We sometimes get impatient and run ahead of God and make a flying leap into the pool of life and the resulting circumstances that we created “splashes” onto everyone else. It is not just us that deals with our actions. They spill over to others around us. Others either laugh it off or get angry at “getting wet” by our actions.
God has made a lasting, forever covenant with Abram about the descendants he will have…”But Sarai, Abram’s wife had no children.” (Genesis 16:1, NLT) “But Sarai”…did not believe. She is past child bearing age. Sarai is tired of waiting on God. “So Sarai took her servant an Egyptian woman named Hagar, and gave her to Abram so she could bear his children.” Genesis 16:2
THE BLAME GAME
To justify her actions, Sarai blames God…”The LORD has kept me from having any children,” Sarai said to Abram. “Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed. He did. Sarai has made a big splash and the overflow is pouring over others.
“So Abram slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress Sarai with contempt. The Sarai said to Abram, ‘It’s all your fault!’ Now this servant of mine is pregnant, and she despises me, though I myself gave her the privilege of sleeping with you. The LORD will make you pay for doing this to me!'”
Abram turns the blame back to Sarai. “Since she is your servant, you may deal with her as you see fit.” So Sarai treated her harshly and Hagar ran away.
Everyone gets wet with Sarai’s splash of disobedience to God.
We are taken aback by Sarai’s lack of judgement…but we are guilty, too. (All have sinned and fall short…”) We think our decisions in life only affect us so we boldly, sometimes without thinking, react to a situation with actions that ultimately affect everyone around us.
THE GOOD NEWS…GOD!
God intervenes and helps us through these missteps in life and works to make all things good for those called to do His will and fulfill His purpose. It is all about God at the end of each day. That’s way we must stay focused on Him, trusting Him, waiting on Him, working until He comes and changes the situation…or not. Working ahead, taking matters into our own hands, will only lead to misery for us AND those around us.
Only if…Sarai had wanted just one more year. How many “only ifs” do we have in our own lives? 
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for seeing us through our lives, in good times and bad. Thank you for letting us live with our own mess until we come back into focus with Your will and plan for us. Thank you for cleaning up after us, with the work of the Cross of Jesus Christ, drying us off after our own big splashes and sending us back on the journey to walk with You again. Thank You for loving us more than we deserve. In Jesus Name, Amen
