January 3, 2018

God Hears Us

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 the One who sees me.” – Genesis 16:13

Hagar was an unfortunate pawn. God made a promise to Abram but He never said how long it might take. So Sarai decided to take matters into her own hands. She gave her slave, Hagar, to her husband, Abram, so that perhaps Hagar would get pregnant and give Sarai a child.

Oh, what a storm we create when we fail to wait for God. Hagar did become pregnant but Sarai despised her for it. Hagar ran away but God saw her. Just like He sees us. Just like He sees me.

These last few years have been long and hard. I learned to let things roll off of me, choosing instead to pick my battles. Is it something I simply don’t like? Or is it something that could cause harm to an elderly parent? Some battles just weren’t worth the argument.

As I left that season of caregiving, more challenges awaited me. I found that way too many people either didn’t hear what I said or simply ignored my wishes. It’s as though they assume my voice doesn’t matter. Except it does.

We have become a society that listens in order to respond to what is being said to us. We aren’t concerned about the wishes of others. We don’t particularly care about their opinions. It’s all about us. We make sure of that. We see that clearly in our broken political rhetoric that plays to our emotions rather than to reconciliation and compromise.

No one wants to be dismissed or ignored and it’s frustrating to have someone ignore your wishes in an effort to bully you to accept theirs. We assume that others want what we want and if they don’t, well, that’s their problem. We know more than anyone. Except we don’t.

God saw Hagar. He heard the cries of her heart. God hears us too. He never tunes us out because we aren’t agreeing with Him. God never ignores us. He sees us, flaws and all, and loves us anyway.

When was the last time you really listened to someone who disagrees with you? Have you ever gotten off your own agenda and considered someone else’s viewpoint? We don’t have to agree in order to listen. And listening doesn’t mean we have to change our minds or our actions. It simply shows respect for another human being. Listening says that the words of someone else matter.

Whose voice do you hear today? Is it your own or are you listening to others? Remember that God hears us all and sees what is truly in our hearts. Take a moment and listen. Really listen. You might be surprised at what you learn.