New Name, New Woman

New Name, New Woman

Sarah

Read: Genesis 17:15-16; 18:1-12; 21:1-7

“Have you seen Tina lately?” Bethany asked her friend as they started their morning walk. “I met her in the store and almost didn’t recognize her. She actually had a smile on her face instead of a scowl, but the most amazing part was hearing her talk without her usual bitterness and sarcasm. Something has definitely happened to her!”

“You’re wrong,” Emily answered, smiling. “I found out from her sister that Tina has started going to Bible study. Something didn’t happen to her—Someone did.”

Sarai had many bitter experiences in her life. Although she had a devoted husband, she remained barren in a culture that based a woman’s importance on her ability to bear sons. As God prepared for Isaac’s miraculous birth, he changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. Both names mean “princess.” The change in Sarah’s name was slight, but she soon went through a dramatic transformation.

Abraham was ninety-nine when the angel of the Lord confirmed the promise that he would have numerous descendants. This time, God gave a more specific prediction: Sarah would have a son within one year. Sarah overheard the conversation, and she laughed silently at the ridiculous idea that she might become pregnant. Later, when she delivered a son as prophesied, she declared, “God has brought me laughter.” Something, or rather, Someone had changed Sarah’s attitude from laughing in disbelief to laughing with joy.

The Bible teaches that when we become God’s children, we are new creations. God’s Spirit living in us begins to transform our thoughts, attitudes, and actions to conform us to the image of Christ. God’s love and grace flow through us to others. Our names may not change, but like Tina and Sarah, our lives will show that we have had an encounter with the King of kings. And he can make princesses out of us all.

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.

2 Corinthians 5:17