“Yes, You Did Laugh.”

“Yes you did laugh.”

Sarah, in Genesis 18, laughed when she overheard the Lord tell Abraham that she would give him a son in the next year.

When the Lord asked why she had laughed, the scriptures tell us that she lied because she was scared and said, “I did not laugh.”

But Lord, said, “Yes you did laugh.”

I have been journeying through Abraham’s story and meditating on him as I have moved to LA and this new land. It has been a rich time for me.

In light of the recent breakthroughs in our funding and just reflecting on all that God has done in our life and ministry the last month, I sense God calling me out today.

“Yes you did laugh, Beau.”

You see, God has given me some incredible breakthroughs the last few weeks, but just before that I was living in some great anxiety.

Two of these breakthroughs not mentioned yet is that God has started a Greek InterVarsity in the Asian Greek Council at USC (pic below) and also provided me leaders on the Panhellenic and NPHC (Historically Black Sororities) Council. We could potentially have Greek InterVarsity in every council at USC by winter and that would be unprecedented in our movement. I am praying and believing for this move of God!

The first Greek InterVarsity on the Asian Greek Council at USC. 8 members showed up to dream about a space for God in these fraternities and sororities!

I am taking some time this week to reflect on these breakthroughs and ask God what he wants to teach me about trusting him when I can’t see the outcome.

One of the questions that I am reflecting on this week is

“How does God want to shape me more like Abraham?”

What he is saying to me is that I want you to believe me more. Next time I ask you to risk big or believe big for me to come through, trust me, pray with me, converse with me about it. Especially when you can’t see how it will be possible! But lets not be so anxious and doubting. And lets not check out and just watch more sports!

Listen, I know anxiety and doubt is part of life and part of the human condition. But I also know Jesus is forming us, sanctifying us, and making us more into his image. Anxiety and doubt is not part of that perfect image.

He is saying to me this week, “let these breakthroughs be a sign to you that I am with you and providing for you.” Trust me more next time. When you are faced with an uncertain situation next time or anxiety creeps up,

“Don’t Laugh.”

Here me say, says the Lord, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?

This week I am in a great place of praise and worship to God for all he is doing in me and through me, but I am also in a confessional place saying,

“Lord, make me less anxious, less doubting, and more trusting in you!”

I want my belief in God to increase and I think that happens as we go through seasons of need, staring lack in the face, and then seeing God show up. He uses this for our formation so we can learn to trust him and face seemingly impossible situations like this in the future with more faith, joy, and perseverance.

As an apostolic leader who is going to be called to constantly step out, risk big, and start new things, I have to and want to form the kind of relationship with Jesus where I don’t laugh at situations that look barren now, but he says will be born. I want to be the kind of leader and child of God that says

“Lord, I don’t see it but I trust you and know from history that you will do this thing you say!”

Principles from Abraham’s Story

So here are a couple things God is showing me through Abraham that I want to note and let shape me

Abraham doubts and it is ok because he talks to God about them. There is a difference between being anxious and festering in it, and bringing that anxiety to God in honest prayer.
God meets Abraham in doubts and fears and confirms things to him. I love how God shows him the stars as a response to Abrahams doubt.
I also love how Abraham believes God in that confirmation and it is credited to him as righteousness. Am I looking for these confirmations? Am I expecting God to confirm things for me when I come with honest prayer of doubt? I want to expect this in the future.
Abraham & Sarah fail a few times through his doubt (he pretends she is his sister, and she gives Hagar to Abraham to sleep with). Both are concerning for different reasons.
- The Egypt scenario, where he calls her his sister, happens because there is a famine and they flee there. It makes me ask, “How am I tempted when I sense famine or lack? How am I tempted when I am scared?”
- The Hagar situation happens right after God shows him the stars! Why did Abraham agree with Sarah right after his confirmation? It makes me ask, “How easy is it for me to forget what God has confirmed to me? Am I constantly practicing remembrance? Can I say no to good ideas that are not based on faith in the living God?”
- Both situations make me ask, “Where am I tempted to take matters into my own hands and just try and make something happen instead of waiting on God?”
God is still with Abraham, speaks with him, and is faithful to his promises even though Abraham and Sarah are not perfectly obedient. Phew! This allows me to receive grace when I see the places I have failed.

So how about you?