Living With the Unresolved

I want people to behave. I want circumstances to turn out according to my plans. And yes, sometimes when I pray I have to resist the urge to outline for God a suggestion of how He could go about answering my prayers, as if He, the creator of the universe, needs my advice. Thankfully, I recognize this tendency and am usually able to head it off when I see it coming. 

The truth is, sometimes life doesn't cooperate with me. People have free will that doesn't always coincide with mine. Stuff happens on a daily basis that wasn't on my well planned to-do list. Sometimes God doesn't cooperate either, at least from my limited human viewpoint that only sees a tiny glimpse of the bigger picture that He sees. In that case I've learned that whatever happens is always for the better in the end and I'll get there quicker if I don't resist His plan so much. 

But sometimes things happen out of our control that cause pain and are never resolved. It comes in many forms whether it be as abuse from someone who won't admit they've done anything wrong, being falsely accused of something and not being given the chance to defend oneself, having a well-intentioned attempt to help someone see truth be utterly rejected, or have an apology not be acknowledged.

I have learned to live with the unresolved as the Lord shows me that part of life on this earth means co-existing with issues that have no closure and people I can't control.

Many things in life don't fit neatly on a checked-off list. The best I can do at times is to just fence in the unresolved so it doesn't migrate and take over other parts of my life. Letting go isn't easy and some things will never completely go away but I can say to myself "I've done all I can with this" and leave it in God's hands. 

 

Christianity and the Election

“None of the candidates are Jesus. No matter who wins, Jesus is still Lord.”

Good, positive article about Christianity and the election: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/leadershiponfire/2024/08/eight-christian-thoughts-for-election-season/

The important points:

The massive political divide does not represent the average Christian.

None of the candidates are Jesus.

No matter who wins, Jesus is still Lord. 

No matter who wins, it’s not the end of the world. 

Christians don’t need favorable conditions to be believers. 

Christian values don’t change or rely on a political party. 

Regardless of what is going on, we are called to be believers. 

Do not be afraid.

“The outcome of this election does not have to determine the morality we, as Christians, embrace for ourselves. It’s just as important who we are today as who we will be on November 5, November 6, and beyond. Scripture never tells us to embrace a political worldview, but to offer the world the hope of for a better world. We can proclaim the Kingdom of God in virtue, value, and rule right now, regardless of who is in office. Let’s remember where our true citizenship lies.”

This article also was encouraging with a Biblical focus on how to pray for our country: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/prayer/how-should-we-pray-for-our-country-and-the-upcoming-election.html

Seven Things Christians Need to Remember About Politics

This author articulates so well my own thoughts in this political season:

Seven Things Christians Need to Remember About Politics by Bryan Roberts

“Political discourse is the Las Vegas of Christianity—the environment in which our sin is excused. Hate is winked at, fear is perpetuated and strife is applauded. …

“Not only are believers excused for their political indiscretions, but they are often applauded for committing them. Slander is explained away as righteous anger; winning arguments are esteemed higher than truthful ones (whether or not the “facts” align); and those who stir up dissension are given the pulpit. So I balk when pastors tell me the Church should engage in the political process. Why would we do that? The political process is dirty and broken and far from Jesus. Paranoia and vitriol are hardly attractive accessories for the bride of Christ.

“Rather than engage in the political process, Christians have a duty to elevate it. Like any other sin, we are called to stand above the partisan dissension and demonstrate a better way. Should we have an opinion? Yes. Should we care about our country? Yes. Should we vote? Yes. But it’s time we talk politics in a way that models the teachings of Jesus rather than mocks them.

Here are seven things to remember about politics:

1. Both political parties go to church

There’s a Christian Left and, perhaps even less well-known, there’s a secular Right. Despite your point of view of who is on the other side, party lines are drawn in chalk, and they’re not hard to cross. The Church must be engaged in politics, but it must not be defined by the arbitrary lines in politics.

2. Political talk radio and cable “news” only want ratings

When media personalities tell you they are on a moral crusade, they are lying to you. These personalities get rich by instilling fear and paranoia in their listeners. If we give our favorite political ideologues more time than we give Jesus, we are following the wrong master. There are unbiased, logical and accurate news sources out there. But it’s up to you to be a good steward of information—to fact-check for yourself, take ideology with a grain of salt and make decisions based on facts rather than gossip.

3. Those who argue over politics don’t love their country more than others

They just love to argue more than others. Strife and quarreling are symptoms of weak faith (Proverbs 10:12; 2 Timothy 2:23-25; James 4:1) and are among the things the Lord “detests.” We need to rise above the vitriol and learn to love our neighbors the way God commanded us. We need to love our atheist neighbor who wants to keep creationism out of schools; our Democrat neighbor who wants to keep gay marriage and abortion legal; our Republican neighbor who celebrates death penalty statistics and gun ownership; and yes, even the presidential candidate from the other side.

4. Thinking your party’s platform is unflawed is a mistake

The social policies of your party were constructed by imperfect politicians fueled by ambition. It’s nearsighted to canonize them—and it will make you obsolete in a few years. Every four years, the parties adopt a current, updated platform at their respective conventions. And while they stay on general tracks, every four years the platform evolves to meet the needs of a growing, modernized and changing party. The Republican party of today doesn’t look like it did 10 or 20 years ago. We need to know when to change our views to meet a changing culture—and when to stand by them.

5. Scripture tells us to pray for our governing leaders (2 Timothy 2:1-4) and to respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7)

Translation: if you’re mocking your governing leaders on social media, the Holy Spirit is grieved. We should spend more time honoring our leaders and less time vilifying them. This doesn’t mean praying the President will be impeached; it doesn’t mean praying your candidate will win. God commands us to pray for our leaders—for their wisdom, for their hearts and for them to be led by Him.

6. Don’t be paranoid

The country is not going to be destroyed if your candidate loses. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Stand up and demonstrate what God has given you. America has functioned—albeit, at varying levels of success—for years under the direction of alternating Democrat and Republican control, and at every flip, the other side thought it was the end of the world. It’s not. And if we’re a Church that believes God is in control, we have to believe that He is the one in control of the end times—not whoever’s in office now, and not whoever succeeds them.

7. Stop saying, “This is the most important election in the history of our nation”

It’s not. The most important election in the history of our nation was when Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Before that, we thought it was OK to own people. Every generation thinks it’s living in the most important moment in history. We’re not, our parents were not and our children probably won’t be. And that’s OK.

My addition to the article:

- “Political solutions belong to political problems.  Spiritual problems need a more reliable Messiah.  If we let Jesus Christ—and the peace He alone brings—be the lens through which we view the major political ideas of our day, we will stop looking for lesser messiahs in the form of our elected officials.” - Barbara Shafer

- No candidate is a messiah who will save us. When we elevate one candidate as the only “godly” choice, we can be tempted into making anyone who disagrees an enemy. 

- God is not Republican or Democrat or of any other political affiliation. 

- “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God.” Psalm 146:3–5

Characteristics of a Godly Leader

If a candidate professes to be a Christian, is he held to a higher standard than those who don’t? I think so. No one expects perfection but there should at least be evidence in how he conducts himself especially if the candidate’s claim of faith is part of the platform he runs on. Character, integrity, and morality matter, both public and personal. Speaking truth instead of knowingly spreading false claims that fit the narrative he wants to believe also matters. Seeking a peaceful solution rather than inciting strife or violence definitely matters. 

This article by Brent Rinehart outlines what the Bible says are qualities to be considered from Proverbs 16:

A good leader seeks God’s direction.

Is there anything more important in a leader than he or she seeking God’s direction? Proverbs 16:1 says “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Verse 3 adds, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” And verse 9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” A good leader seeks the Lord, commits his way to the Lord, and the Lord establishes the next steps.

A good leader is modest, not arrogant.

We’ve all encountered the know-it-all leader, the “submit-or-else” type of leader. But Proverbs 16:5 says, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want to be referred to as an abomination to the Lord. That’s some pretty scary stuff.

A good leader is a peacemaker.

Proverbs 16:7 says “When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Yet so many leaders aren’t interested in examining an opposing viewpoint or other ideas. We’ve lost the ability to empathize with others, and compromise has become a bad word. There’s something to be said of sticking to principles. I believe God calls us to be steadfast. He doesn’t however, call us to be jerks. And, when our “boldness” is interpreted as “coldness,” we are not doing it right.

A good leader is fair and just.

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8). I believe in goals, and working hard to achieve them. But, the end always justifying the means is simply not true. A good leader is more interested in doing things the right way.

A good leader surrounds himself or herself with honest, trustworthy counselors … and then listens to them.

“Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right” (Proverbs 16:13). Do you know leaders who surround themselves with “yes” people? Personal insecurity drives them to seek only positive reinforcement for every decision they make. A smart leader surrounds himself or herself with smarter people, who are willing to speak their minds and offer sound counsel. After all, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).

A good leader is a good learner.

Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” A good leader should always be learning, growing and improving. The day you feel there is nothing left to learn is the day that pride and arrogance have taken root. And, we’ve already discussed how the Lord feels about arrogance.

A good leader is humble.

We’ve seen countless prominent examples of Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” From politicians and celebrities to CEOs and pastors, many have grabbed headlines as their empires have fallen. In most of these cases, it’s pride that has crept in. They thought themselves invincible, but quickly found out that no one is. “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:19).

A good leader is sensible and kind.

“Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips” (Proverbs 16:22-23). Being smart and sensible makes a good leader more persuasive and effective. A good leader uses “gracious words” (verse 24), not speech that is “like a scorching fire” (verse 27).

A good leader is slow to anger.

We’ve all seen the caricatures in movies and television of the angry boss; the person who yells for no reason, barks orders and berates and demoralizes the staff. Perhaps you’ve even worked for such a person. The Bible says that “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)

As you read through these qualities of a good leader, hopefully you find them as challenging as I do. God tells us how to be effective, godly leaders. It’s up to us to put our human tendencies aside and embrace these principles. It’s also up to us to pray for those under which we serve, that they too would be the good leaders God wants them to be.

Let it Go

“You will find it necessary to let things go; simply for the reason they are heavy.” - C. Joybell C.

My journey to a simpler life is more than just decluttering the material things in my home, as freeing as that is. Those boxes donated to Goodwill are heavy, packed with many smaller things no longer wanted. But I also find myself examining what might be cluttering my life physically (health), emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually. It isn’t always one big thing but can be a lot of seemingly little things that together feel like one cumulative burden.

As silly as it sounds, when I’m dealing with such things I sometimes find myself humming “Let it Go” from the Disney movie “Frozen”. (Ok, I often bring up the Pentatonix version and sing along but no one wants to hear that!) It lightens my mood as a reminder that it’s ok to just let go of whatever worry or angst is crowding my life. 

Of course I pray a lot too, surrendering to Jesus those people, thoughts and burdens that weigh me down in mind and spirit, knowing He wants to carry them for me (1Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22) and help me see what I need to release.

The thing about letting heavy things go is that so many are out of my control and beyond my ability to change them so I need to quit dragging them around. They aren’t mine to carry. Things like the behavior, choices, or opinions of others. No matter how much I disagree and as long as it isn’t bringing harm to themselves or others in away that would require intervention, I need to not dwell on it or let it take up emotional space. It’s difficult to do when it involves a friend or loved one but I’m not discarding the relationship, just the angst.

I also need to let go of resisting change or holding on to seasons of life that have passed. I think of a quote by Ellen Goodman: “There's a trick to the Graceful Exit. It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, a relationship is over - and to let go. It means leaving what's over without denying its value.” I like the last part of that…leaving what’s over without denying its value. It’s ok to put aside what’s over to make room for what’s next. 

As I let go of what is no longer wanted or has become too heavy, I focus instead on clinging to what is good (Romans 12:9) and “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)  Those are the things worth keeping.

Letters Unsent

One thing I’ve learned is just because something can be said doesn’t mean it needs to be said, especially when it’s likely that no good will come of it so silence is the better course. 

So the question is, how do I deal with the emotional overflow of words unsaid, of feelings unexpressed toward a person or situation? I have found therapeutic release in writing letters to the people I want to speak to but can’t. It helps to put into words the unedited thoughts without a filter, writing out the storm of emotions. 

When the words are negative or just me venting, I shred the paper afterwards. They were for my benefit only, letters unsent that validated my words and feelings without judgement from anyone, thereby unloading the weight of them. Nothing would be gained by sharing. 

The more difficult letters are to people who have caused hurt, letting them know I forgive them. The words are unsent because those who are responsible either refuse to acknowledge they did anything wrong or they have died, leaving no opportunity for resolution. Writing it down gives voice to the hurt and helps me forgive and move on. 

Sometimes my letters unsent are positive and kept in my journal. The most recent was to one of my best friends lost to cancer a few months ago. She knew how much I valued our friendship as we often expressed it to each other in phone conversations and sweet notes in the mail but it helped to write her a good-bye love letter saying it again even though she will never read it. I’ll see her again someday so that lessens the pain of grief a bit but the loss is still pretty raw. She was my kindred spirit and I miss her every single day.

I often write letters to myself as a path to objectivity and affirmation, confirming what I did right or seeing where I was wrong and how I can correct my course. Some are kept in my journal as a good reminder while others are relegated to the wastebasket having served their purpose. 

Prayer helps as I speak of what’s on my heart to God, but I often write them as letters because I express my thoughts better with pen to paper than speaking them. Those are also in a journal and I sometimes read them back to the Lord when the same matter of the heart arises again. 

Donald Trump has received a few as the election approaches, expressing my disappointment in the kind of man he has shown himself to be and why I won’t vote for him again. Obviously letters unsent and destined for the shredder but I felt better getting the angst out on paper knowing he and probably everyone else couldn’t care less what I think. 

Certainly there are situations where words are better spoken in person but when it isn’t, letters unsent provide a healthy way to acknowledge my thoughts and feelings.

 

Perspective, Again

In 2009 I wrote a post here titled “Perspective” about my anxiety at the time with the economy, the 2008 election, and all the bad things going on in the world - both real and perceived - and how the Lord helped me focus on Him instead of the fear. 

Who knew then how much worse it would get in the years to come? A major recession, the Covid pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Israel. Donald Trump inciting the violent January 6 attack on the Capitol because he couldn’t accept that he lost the election.

This 2024 election weighs heavy on my heart as we face a choice between what seems to me like marxist liberalism vs. fascist conservatism and it leaves me feeling like - to use a colloquialism - we’re screwed either way. I am once again struggling with worry over politics, the economy, world affairs, and the moral decline of our country. But as I re-read that entry in 2009, I once again find my peace in God’s presence amidst the uncertainty, and find that the prayer I wrote then is just as applicable and empowering today with a few additions:

 Dear Lord, 

I bring you my shortcomings...

because Your Word says that in my weakness you are strong and I feel like such a wimp in these trying times. I have so many faults and shortcomings but when I look closer, I see they are by your design as behind each one is a strength waiting to develop as I surrender them to you.

I bring you my worship and praise...
because Your Word says you inhabit the praise of your people and when I worship You, I feel your presence. Today I praise your names Jehovah Jireh, because you are the Lord who provides, and Elohim Shomri, the Lord who protects me.

I bring you my prayer...
because Your Word says to tell you my hurts, fears, concerns, and needs so that I'm not anxious about anything. Help me take my anxious thoughts captive and leave them with You, knowing that nothing is happening that isn't passing through Your hands first. You are in control of all things including an election. Thank you for your provision and protection.

You spoke to me from Your Word…

"I have loved you with an everlasting love."
Jeremiah 31:3
"The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
Deuteronomy 33:27

“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 

He remains faithful forever.”

Psalm 146:3-6

You whispered to me…

Don’t worry. I’ve got this.

What’s on Your Altar?

"Everybody has an altar. And every altar has a throne. So how do you know where and what you worship? It’s easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your loyalty. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship."   - Louie Giglio

What’s on your altar? It can be relationships, a job/career, or service to others. A hobby or travel to beautiful places can be great for mental health. Bible study, ministry, and intercessory prayer are definitely worthy of space. Even material collections that bring us joy might show up on the altar. 

But what about the throne? Any thing or person that becomes an obsession or a singular focus of our money, time, affection, loyalty, and energy threatens to take over the throne of our lives. It could be the pursuit of wealth or status above all else. Or the pursuit of youth and beauty. Maybe social media consumes our time and energy. Any number of addictions might battle for prominence. 

For some a presidential candidate sits on the throne as an object of messiah-like worship. Sadly, I have witnessed this a lot the past few years and more-so lately. 

I hope Jesus is on the throne of my altar. I think He mostly is, but it’s a battle with the many other things vying for a place as well. 

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21

Scarlet Letters

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” tells the story of Hester Prynne, a Puritan woman caught in adultery and forced to wear the letter “A” on her chest to expose her sin and shame. Public shame for sin is politically incorrect these days and that’s a topic I’d like to explore in another post sometime. But today this story has me thinking about the other side of wearing a “scarlet letter”; the misuse of it as we define ourselves or others by something long after amends have been made and forgiveness granted.

I’m reminded of another story in scripture when a woman found in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus. Here’s how it played out as recorded in John 8:

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. (v. 3-9)

I sometimes wonder if the woman was set up for the purpose of trapping Jesus. If Jesus said, "Let her go," then it would seem that he is breaking the Mosaic law. If he said, "Execute her for the crime of adultery," then Jesus would seem harsh and would break Roman law, because the Romans had taken away the right of Jews to officially execute people for religious offenses. But the fact is, she was guilty. Whether it was a set up or not, she was caught in the act of adultery and law was clear about the punishment. On a side note, I wonder what Jesus wrote in the ground…maybe the names of the accusers in the group who at one time or another had committed adultery with this same woman? Or perhaps he listed the sins they were guilty of themselves. We aren’t told but whatever it was it seems to have influenced the outcome.

Jesus never denied the woman sinned. He never denied the penalty the law required or the Pharisees’ right to carry out the judgment. What he did was force the accusers to acknowledge that they themselves were sinners. In Jewish law, witnesses to a capital offense were the ones who began the stoning. One commentator suggests that when Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her,” he was really saying "all right, let’s execute her. But let’s do it right. One of the witnesses has to have a hand in her execution. So who among you is the one who witnessed this crime, but only brought to me the woman, not the man?" Perhaps, caught in the trap themselves, the men left rather than expose their own guilt.

If the story ended there it would still be a good lesson for us. But for me, the beauty is what followed:

Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more." (v.10-11)

We aren’t told in this account who the woman was or what happened after that but I have to imagine that after such mercy and forgiveness that she changed her ways. I can also imagine that it wasn’t easy because like Hester Prynne, she was likely defined by her past even if she never committed adultery again. The accusers were likely still pointing at her, gossiping about her; still trying to put the focus on her so that their own sins would not be found out. She likely had her own moments of self-condemnation.

These stories happen to be about adultery but that isn’t the point. What is on my mind today is how we let any sin define us long after we’ve confessed and received forgiveness from Jesus. Sometimes we allow another to keep putting a scarlet letter on our chests without justification. Sometimes we wake up every morning and pin it on ourselves out of shame for something we did years ago or even something that was done to us that we have no reason to feel guilty about. Mostly though, we have an enemy, Satan, who continually whispers in our ear each letter that represents why we are guilty, beyond forgiveness, beyond the reach of mercy and grace of the Saviour, beyond redemption, beyond hope. His greatest weapon against us is accusation to cause doubt in what Jesus did on the cross.

What are some of the scarlet letters you carry around? I have my own collection that I drag out every now and then in my moments of doubt but then I choose to lay them at Jesus’ feet. In the shadow of the cross scarlet letters lose their power. Like the woman brought before him, if we just look through the filter of redemption we will find our accusers, or rather THE accuser, have left empty-handed with no evidence against us. 

Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. He promises forgiveness when we confess wrong doing (1 John 1:9) and not only forgiveness but that the sin is removed and forgotten (Psalm 103:12). Those are powerful promises that make the scarlet letters fall away as Jesus whispers in our ear, "neither do I condemn you."

(reposted from 2010)

The Way We Like it Doesn't Change the Truth

Retired Church of Uganda Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said, "The moment you’re far away from your Bible and you are not making a difference with your Bible, then you are losing God’s wisdom to help you to walk righteously before Him."  

That is one source of the weakening of the church. Without the personal study of scripture with the Holy Spirit guiding us to truth, we rely more on experiences or teaching that makes us feel good without questioning whether they are Biblical. We rely more on what the latest best-selling author or charismatic pastor of a mega-church is saying without testing it against what God says, or we rely on social media to form our opinions and even our theology based on what is going around on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook. 

Without the Bible to guide us, we are in danger of being lured into believing what God says is sin really isn’t, justifying it by saying scripture was misinterpreted, that it applied to a different people or time or circumstance and is irrelevant to us today, or that it isn't what God really meant.  We try to convince ourselves that if God really loves us that means he wants us to be happy even if it goes against his word. 

It sobers me because I know God is clear that not everyone who stands before him saying "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. There will be no excuses, no debate anyone can give to convince Him that they are the exception to what He told us in his word.

We can spin it any way we want but as Orombi says, "the way you like it doesn’t change the truth that is in the Scripture."

God Sees Us

I pay attention to men and women in the Bible who are the misfits because there is always a lesson to learn from their stories. One of my favorites is that of Hagar, the slave of Sarah and Abraham. The story is in Genesis 16 and to summarize, Sarah (then called Sarai) had been unable to conceive so she encouraged Abraham (then called Abram) to have a child through their Egyptian servant, Hagar. Hagar taunted Sarah after becoming pregnant and in turn, Sarah treated Hagar harshly to the point that she fled into the desert.

If anyone felt invisible and unwanted, it was Hagar.  She was living every woman's nightmare…pregnant, alone, utterly abandoned. Or so she thought. God knew her circumstance and sent an angel to minister to her. After this encounter with the Lord, Hagar said to him (verse 13), "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me." In Hebrew, that name is El-Roi, the God who sees.

I'm reminded of a line from the movie Shall We Dance?, a story about a man (played by Richard Gere) who takes up ballroom dancing while going through a midlife crisis. In one scene his wife (played by Susan Sarandon) is explaining to someone why people get married: "Because we need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet. I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage...you're saying 'your life will not go unnoticed, because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed, because I will witness it.'"

Isn't that what we all want to some degree? To be seen? Witnessed? Acknowledged?  El-Roi does this for us. He says to each of us, "your life will not go unnoticed, because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed, because I will witness it. I see you."

When we forget that our heavenly Father sees us, we will feel invisible and unimportant and will seek acknowledgement from others that will always leave us wanting.  That’s why the story of Hagar is an important reminder of God’s character. It reminds us that even if no one else notices, God witnesses a life he lovingly created for his glory and purpose.  He never abandons his watch over us. He sees us through the filter of Jesus and the cross, redeemed and worthy. That's hardly insignificant!

God has much to say about how important we are to him.  Psalm 139 is a beautiful testament of the God who sees as he supervised the formation of each one of us before we were born and has remained constantly aware of every moment of our lives thereafter. In fact, there is nowhere we can go that he does not see.  Psalm 121 tells us that the Lord never takes a break from watching over us.  Isaiah 61:3 says we are a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 40:10 reminds us that even if the mountains fall, His unfailing love for us will not be shaken nor his covenant removed. 

No matter how invisible we feel on this planet at times, we are never out of God’s sight. Even if no one else ever knows who we are, even if we never get credit for anything good that we've done, God sees us inside and out.