It’s easy to look at the world around us, or even at our own lives, and focus on what’s difficult, uncertain, or disappointing. Sarah certainly had her reasons for doing that. When she overheard God’s promise that she’d have a son in her old age, she laughed. It seemed absurd. Humanly speaking, it was impossible. Yet God’s response is one of the most memorable questions in Scripture: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14).

That question sits alongside the wonderful assurance of Romans 5. Paul reminds us that God’s love doesn’t depend on our goodness, success, or faithfulness. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Before we’d done anything to deserve it, God had already reached out in love. That’s the foundation of our hope. We trust God not because life is always easy, but because God has shown us his heart in Jesus.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus looks at the crowds and is moved with compassion. He sees people who are weary, confused, and struggling. Then he does something surprising: he sends ordinary disciples to share his work of healing, serving, and proclaiming good news.

Perhaps that’s the challenge for us this week. Where are we laughing at God’s possibilities because we’ve decided something can’t change? Where are we doubting that God can work through us? The same God who kept his promise to Sarah, and who demonstrated his love through Christ, still calls ordinary people to join in his work today.

Maybe this week we can take one small step of faith: trusting God’s promise a little more, receiving God’s love a little more deeply, and sharing God’s compassion a little more generously.