We all have a version of God. It may be a version based on past experiences, trauma, authority, personal interactions with Him, or childhood stories. As a child, the picture I painted of God, who I couldn’t see living beyond the blue skies, was a busy grandfatherly-type man. A grayed, worn-out man with many children struggling to manage their busy lives. Kind of like the poem-

 “There was an old woman who lived in a shoe; she had so many children she didn’t know what to do.” 

Then blah, blah, blah because I tuned out the rest. In my tiny childish brain, I pondered how exacerbated this woman must have been caring for the well-being of all those kids. I envisioned my grandmother, who had a pack of kids and many grandchildren. My abuela wrangled us kids by shouting and threatening us with a spoon if we didn’t shape up (this was a different era, so it was considered ok). On second thought, my grandmother did know what to do. Her responses were more reactive than not. 

I digress, so back to my perspective of God. Contemplative thoughts swirled in my mind that God shouldn’t be bothered with petty trials. Before long, adulthood was here, and I still held loosely to this idea of God distracted by busyness. The closer my relationship grew, His nearness drew me in. The realization began to show that God did not resemble a worn-out old man, an old woman with the shoe, or my shouting grandmother. 

 God is never too busy or preoccupied with His children. We can approach the throne with everything welcomed by a loving Father. Being overlooked is one of the most significant lies the enemy uses on God’s children. Satan whispers that God doesn’t see the need, trial or trauma, so He does not care. 

A beautiful illustration of the God who sees is in Genesis 16. The quick backstory is that God promises a descendant to Abram and Sarai; the only problem is He never tells them when. As many of us can relate, impatience and frustration set in. Sarai decides she will determine her fate and gives her servant, Hagar, to her husband. Considered property, servants’ children belonged to the master. FYI, manipulating God’s hand to create your destiny is never a good idea. The plan implodes with Sarai hating Hagar and mistreating her. Genesis 16 finds the servant girl running away where Abram’s God encounters her. God comforts her and gives clarity to her difficult situation. 

Let’s focus on verse 13 as Hagar’s eyes catch a glimpse of the God who once was a stranger-

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen[c] the One who sees me.”

Walking through trials and trauma will never be easy, yet those problematic and trying seasons allow us to see the God who is near. The wilderness and valleys not only work to expose our internal struggles, but the eyes of our hearts come to understand that God sees us in our weakness. Feelings of relief, peace, and consolation descend, and we can exhale, knowing we aren’t alone. 

At her lowest point, and probably feeling the most insignificant she had ever felt, God drew near. He validated her experience and emotions with the sweetest promise. When navigating hardships, we often desire assurance, and time after time, in God’s word, we read that he does just that. 

HIS FAITHFULNESS

Interestingly, reading again the exchange between the angel of the Lord and Hagar, the conversation began with a question. God didn’t command her to go back; he first led her by inquiring where she came from and where she was going (v.8). The beauty of our heavenly Father is his ability to give us opportunities to partner in faith with him. He’s not barking orders from his royal throne by extending his scepter to reveal his authority. He’s not flustered and sitting in confusion about our cares and concerns. It’s clear to see the gentle approach he demonstrates to the rejected slave. God offers her the hope she desperately sought, followed by the promise she didn’t know she needed. 

That is the God we serve, and we could never out-give or outshine him. He loves to reveal his faithfulness even when we waver in our faith. II Timothy 2:13 states this truth-

if we are faithless

he remains faithful, 

he cannot disown himself

In this verse, God pledges that he will remain faithful, not because of us, but because of who he is. His word is truth. It is constant and will fulfill what it sets out to do. 

So my friend, if today you find yourself a bit weary and all around is shouting that you are all alone, remember, Hagar. God reached down, drew near, and revealed his faithfulness to her. Her response should be ours as well. We are crying out to the God who sees us. 

Please share with a friend if you found this helpful. 

XO, 

Katherine