February 9, 2025
Life often feels like a jumbled puzzle, with pieces that don't quite fit and a picture that's far from clear. We find ourselves sandwiched between dysfunction and promise, struggling to make sense of our place in the grand narrative. But what if the very chaos we're trying to escape is actually part of a greater story?
The life of Isaac, one of the patriarchs of faith, offers us a unique perspective on navigating life's messy middle. Unlike his father Abraham's bold faith or his son Jacob's intense struggles, Isaac's story is marked by a series of events that seem to simply happen to him. He's born into a fractured family, nearly sacrificed on an altar, has no say in his marriage, and is ultimately deceived by his own son. Yet, through it all, Isaac's life connects the dots of God's promise from one generation to the next.
From Isaac's story, we can glean four powerful principles to help us find meaning in our own messy middles:
The life of Isaac, one of the patriarchs of faith, offers us a unique perspective on navigating life's messy middle. Unlike his father Abraham's bold faith or his son Jacob's intense struggles, Isaac's story is marked by a series of events that seem to simply happen to him. He's born into a fractured family, nearly sacrificed on an altar, has no say in his marriage, and is ultimately deceived by his own son. Yet, through it all, Isaac's life connects the dots of God's promise from one generation to the next.
From Isaac's story, we can glean four powerful principles to help us find meaning in our own messy middles:
1. You can't control what you're born into, but you can decide what you take with you.
We all inherit a mix of dysfunction and promise from our families. Isaac carried forward both his father Abraham's faith and his fears. In a striking parallel, Isaac repeats Abraham's mistake of lying about his wife being his sister when faced with danger. This reminds us of a sobering truth: what we don't defeat, our children may repeat.
But it's not just the negative we inherit. Isaac also carried forward God's blessing and promise. Even after his failure, God appeared to him, saying, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham" (Genesis 26:24).
The challenge for us is to break cycles of generational sin while holding onto the blessings and promises. We may not choose our starting point, but we can choose what we carry forward.
But it's not just the negative we inherit. Isaac also carried forward God's blessing and promise. Even after his failure, God appeared to him, saying, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham" (Genesis 26:24).
The challenge for us is to break cycles of generational sin while holding onto the blessings and promises. We may not choose our starting point, but we can choose what we carry forward.
2. Sometimes it was someone else's test.
One of the most harrowing moments in Isaac's life was when he was bound and placed on an altar by his father. This wasn't Isaac's test – it was Abraham's. Yet Isaac had to endure the fear and confusion of that moment.
Sometimes, we find ourselves dealing with the consequences of someone else's choices or failures. We may be collateral damage in another person's story. While we can't control these situations, we can control our response. We may have to endure the pain, but we don't have to carry the shame.
More importantly, we can find comfort in knowing that just as Isaac was spared, we have been spared the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus Christ took our place on the cross, becoming the sacrifice we could never be.
Sometimes, we find ourselves dealing with the consequences of someone else's choices or failures. We may be collateral damage in another person's story. While we can't control these situations, we can control our response. We may have to endure the pain, but we don't have to carry the shame.
More importantly, we can find comfort in knowing that just as Isaac was spared, we have been spared the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus Christ took our place on the cross, becoming the sacrifice we could never be.
3. You don't have to be in control, but you do have to be committed.
Isaac's life wasn't marked by grand gestures or defining moments. Instead, it was characterized by steady faithfulness. When the Philistines filled in the wells his father had dug, Isaac simply dug them again. When people quarreled over the new wells he dug, he moved on and dug more.
This teaches us that faithfulness isn't about power or control – it's about perseverance. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control our commitment. Keep showing up, keep praying, keep forgiving, keep trusting, and keep "digging wells." The promise lies not in our circumstances, but in our commitment.
This teaches us that faithfulness isn't about power or control – it's about perseverance. We may not be able to control our circumstances, but we can control our commitment. Keep showing up, keep praying, keep forgiving, keep trusting, and keep "digging wells." The promise lies not in our circumstances, but in our commitment.
4. The ending gives meaning to the middle.
Looking at Isaac's life without knowing the end of the story, it might seem like a series of random events and family dysfunction. But Isaac's life mattered because it was part of a bigger story – the story of God's redemption for humanity that ultimately led to Jesus Christ.
This principle reminds us that faith is about seeing the present through the lens of the future. It's about addressing what is according to what we know will be. Even when we can't see how our current struggles fit into the bigger picture, we can trust that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
This principle reminds us that faith is about seeing the present through the lens of the future. It's about addressing what is according to what we know will be. Even when we can't see how our current struggles fit into the bigger picture, we can trust that God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Living in the Messy Middle
We all find ourselves in the messy middle at times. Maybe you're dealing with family dysfunction, career setbacks, or personal disappointments. Perhaps you feel stuck in patterns you didn't choose, dealing with consequences of tests that weren't even yours to pass.
In these moments, remember Isaac's story. You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can choose what you carry forward. You may have to endure pain from someone else's choices, but you don't have to bear the shame. You may not be able to control the chaos, but you can control your commitment. And even when nothing seems to make sense, you can trust that the ending will give meaning to the middle.
Like Isaac, we're part of a bigger story – a story of redemption that finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This truth brings meaning to every detail of our lives, even the messy parts. So hold your life with open hands before God, saying, "I will carry whatever I have to carry, but I will not claim the dysfunction or the pain as my own. This is Yours, God."
In the mess of the middle, may we find the courage to keep digging wells, the faith to trust God's bigger story, and the hope to see our present circumstances through the lens of God's promised future. For it's often in the messiest parts of our story that God is doing His most beautiful work.
In these moments, remember Isaac's story. You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can choose what you carry forward. You may have to endure pain from someone else's choices, but you don't have to bear the shame. You may not be able to control the chaos, but you can control your commitment. And even when nothing seems to make sense, you can trust that the ending will give meaning to the middle.
Like Isaac, we're part of a bigger story – a story of redemption that finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This truth brings meaning to every detail of our lives, even the messy parts. So hold your life with open hands before God, saying, "I will carry whatever I have to carry, but I will not claim the dysfunction or the pain as my own. This is Yours, God."
In the mess of the middle, may we find the courage to keep digging wells, the faith to trust God's bigger story, and the hope to see our present circumstances through the lens of God's promised future. For it's often in the messiest parts of our story that God is doing His most beautiful work.