Avoid Taking Control :: Genesis 16:1-5

Britt Reid imagines himself a hero in the classic tale The Green Hornet, a story that has been told in various comic book, TV, and movie adaptations since the 1930s. In reality, Reid isn’t a hero, that title belongs to his sidekick and saving grace, Kato. Reid is known for getting himself into trouble by not taking the advice of others and following his blind ambition. Only Kato’s quick thinking saves the would-be superheroes from certain death, time and again.

From Reid, we’re reminded that our rash decisions have serious consequences. If we’re being honest, we can admit we’ve all been there. Maybe our mistakes haven’t led us into a deathtrap, but they’ve certainly led us out of God’s will and into situations we shouldn’t be in. Usually when this happens, it isn’t intentional—we make a decision that seems like a good solution, and before we know it, we’re facing consequences we never imagined. At some point along the way, we stop seeking God’s guidance and lose our way.

This is where Abram and Sarai found themselves in Genesis 16. After years of trusting God and being faithful to Him, they lost their way momentarily. But through their story, we learn that God is big enough to redeem even our worst decisions. It’s up to us to avoid repeating the mistakes of our past. How do we do that? By seeking God each day, all day. We abide in His Word. We take advice from trusted counselors. We wait on His lead. And we live as the believers He’s called us to be. When we do that, we’ll be exactly where we’re supposed to be, which is a much better place than the alternative.