Training Ground For Spirituality

Training Ground For Spirituality

[Sarah] said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.

Genesis 21:10–11

Family life is a training ground for faith, hope, love, patience, and prayer. Sarah and Abraham were arguing about God’s promises, but they were doing so out of fear and respect for God. Some people give up their homes and leave their families, thinking they are devoting themselves to God. They dismiss the kind of obedience and devotion we see in this story as the mere efforts of amateurs—something any married couple could do.

This story should reassure married couples. They shouldn’t assume that they’ll never have disagreements and arguments. Even the godliest and most loving spouses will sometimes disagree. We should remember that these disputes are opportunities for practicing godliness and love.

Abraham was the natural and legal father of Ishmael. Yet Sarah asked him to give up both Ishmael and Hagar. Because Abraham was emotionally attached to both of them, this was a difficult decision. Besides, God commands that a husband should protect his wife and support his children. But Sarah was insistent that Hagar and her son should be thrown out. They weren’t being thrown out because they were disrespectful to Abraham. I’m sure they treated him with the proper respect. They were being thrown out for mocking Isaac.

These are the kinds of problems our opponents know nothing about. They regard marriage as a secular institution. Yet we should recognize marriage for what it is—a training ground for spirituality. The greatest passions, both toward God and one another, are challenged and expressed within marriage.