The Bible is very specific about introducing people. Sometimes I ask why specific tags are needed for certain people when we could actually mention the person’s name and just move on. But I have realized that those name tags are given on purpose. Besides name tags, when people are dealing with life’s issues, the Bible does not hide it. It exposes the specific issue and later when there is a change in the person’s life, we are able to see the transformation or the miracle that has taken place. In life, we all deal with different issues: it could be marital, health, financial, or any other thing that causes us to worry. Sometimes, these issues in life can be so overwhelming that it causes us to have sleepless nights. In fact, for most people dealing with different types of life’s challenges, they are at the mercy of those who have overcome those challenges. Grief and pain from life’s challenges can lead one to develop other health related issues. Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive.(Genesis 11:30) Sarai (later known as Sarah) was married to Abram (later known as Abraham). We don’t know about their lives before marriage. What we know is that “Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive” (Genesis 11:30). Sarai had an issue with childbearing. We are not given details of the medical conditions. I believe there was no scientific diagnosis for whatever reason that was preventing Sarai from conceiving. They did not have access to all the tools we have now. They did not have the option for IVF. Sarai was just introduced as the woman who was unable to conceive. If childbearing is a big thing for most marriages in our day, imagine a highly patrilineal society where having children is necessary for the sustenance of the family line. Sarai must have been a woman with deeper inner struggles because of the inability to conceive. Whether she was married to her sweetheart or the man who loved her above all else, Sarai still had these issues and as such she might have been worried about what was happening. Like Sarai, we deal with different issues each day. Life can be full of uncertainties and the fear of the unknown future causes many to worry about their present state in life. Marital challenges have the potential of causing strife and divorce if not handled with godly wisdom. Sickness is also a big issue of life. There are instances that very healthy young couples have been suddenly riddled with life threatening sicknesses that put strains on their marriages. Godly marriages are ordained to last the rain and the storms of life; in sickness and health, in riches and in poverty, for better and for worse. These are not just quotes we rush through during marriage ceremonies to be done with. No! The reality is that life can be a Rollercoaster of good, bad and ugly issues. When one say I do, technically you say that “I will stand by you no matter the challenges we may go through.” Since this commitment is an exchanged vow, both the husband and the wife are committed to stand by their words. It is not a one-sided coin. Abram was aware that Sarai was unable to conceive but we do not find any instance in scripture showing Abram asking Sarai to conceive or he leaves her. In fact, if not for Sarai, Abram wouldn’t have gone for another woman during the lifetime of Sarai. Women throughout history have been at the mercies of societal ridicule for things they cannot control such as childbearing. Sarai’s issue later became her testimony after several years. While we pray and hold on to God, we should also be intentional about what we do in-between the waiting time and the time for our miracle.
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