Do you see what’s going on around you? Are you observant, insightful, aware of the people in your life? It’s amazing how some become invisible people that are present but whom we do not see. Like that guy who took your money at the convenience store this morning, your eyes saw him, but can you remember his face? Perhaps it is that elderly person who attends your church that you ‘see’ each week, but to whom you have never spoken. Maybe it’s your spouse who shares your house, but not your heart; or a son who needs you to see more than his grades or performance, who wants you to see his heart!
Human beings respond to notice. When we take time to engage with another person, to really see them, we give value to them. A thank you note that expresses appreciation for the person, a conversation that goes beyond “Cold outside, isn’t it? How ‘bout them Jets?” and into the place where we learn about another’s life shows a different level of awareness than is common among those of us who live busy, often self-absorbed lives.
One of the tragedies of this world are the people who become invisible to the rest of the world, who slide out of view because of aging, illness, or disability. Maybe you’re feeling invisible today! Perhaps you feel like a ghost, moving through life and nobody seems to really see you, to care if you’re there, to engage with you. You want to scream, “Hey, I’m here. I count. See me!” There is One who does. His name is “El Roi, The God who sees.”
We meet Him in Genesis 16, in the moving story of Hagar. She was a serving girl, probably a slave, though we don't know that for certain. She served Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who was advancing in years and still childless. As was the custom of the time, Sarah used Hagar as a surrogate, giving her to her husband in the hope that she would become pregnant, which she did. The younger woman became contemptuous of her mistress, leading to strife in their household! Sarah responded with cruel abuse. She went to her husband and demanded that the woman be thrown out, leaving her to a life of misery as she tried to survive. The servant girl was disposable, an inconvenient reminder of faithlessness. The Bible says, “Abram replied, "Since she is your servant, you may deal with her as you see fit." So Sarai treated her harshly, and Hagar ran away. The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a desert spring along the road to Shur... Thereafter, Hagar referred to the Lord, who had spoken to her, as "the God who sees me, (El Roi) for she said, "I have seen the One who sees me!" - Genesis 16:7,13 NLT
"The God who sees me!" Do you know that HE knows YOU? Yes, He does. It’s a double-edged truth; comforting and keeping us accountable. He sees right into your most secret places. He knows your dreams, your hopes, your sins, your past, and your future. He loves YOU. In these opening days of 2010, grab hold to the wonderful fact of our Lord's Omnipresence. Let this great truth inspire you. Our God is truly El Roi, the God who sees. "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (Proverbs 15:3, NIV)
Here’s a comforting word from the Word. May it bring comfort to you today as you deepen your faith in ‘the God who sees.’
"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. … even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. … "Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
(Psalm 139:1-4, 12, 24, NLT)
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