Thanks for checking in! I just wanted to share a recent experience and what the Lord taught me through it.
I stopped for gas on my way home from work around 8:30 at night. It was pretty dark, and I was the only person at the gas station initially. I saw a man, who appeared to be homeless, standing near the gas station entrance. He was clutching a discharge folder from the hospital and his skin was covered in bruises. He was clearly tired; and a look of sadness, hopelessness, and discouragement shielded his face.
I got in my car and called my mom while waiting on the pump to finish because oddly, I was feeling really uneasy near this man. I volunteer with a ministry that serves the homeless population. So, this uneasiness was quite uncharacteristic, as I certainly was not in unfamiliar territory. I dialed my mom’s number, looked up, and locked eyes with the man as he stared at me through my driver side window, with a sense of desperation. I can’t even describe the fear that came over me! Reflexively, I locked the door, looked away, and prayed that he would leave! My mom patiently listened as I frantically thought aloud through my escape plan. Finally, the man walked away. As he returned to his post at the gas station entrance, I saw the discouragement, sadness, and hopelessness deepen on his face. I was so torn. I felt horrible ignoring him, but I was legitimately terrified! I explained my mixed emotions to my mom and she advised me to ask the Lord what He would have me do…then do it. So, I hung up with her and called my dad for his advice…I basically got the same answer.
I sat in my car for a while and just watched the man. I watched person after person look at him with fearful eyes, instruct their children to run to the car and not to make eye contact, ignore him, and blow him off. I saw how hurt he was by these reactions. Penetrating through my guilt and discomfort, the Lord gently reassured me that He would never use fear to motivate or direct me. I felt the Lord instruct me to go and talk to this man. So, I approached him, and awkwardly asked him his name…it was Richard. Richard and I proceeded to talk for a while, and I grew more comfortable as the conversation progressed. The discouragement and sadness began to fade from his eyes, and was replaced by a sense of hope. He smiled and laughed, and in that, I saw the Lord. We got some food and prayed together, and in that moment the Lord reminded me that He is the God who sees, El Roi.
Many people, including myself initially, overlooked and ignored Richard…maybe out of fear, or de-sensitivity to his particular plight, or a lack of assurance regarding what to do. But not God, He saw Richard…and He saw me. He saw the depths of our hearts. He knew exactly what was needed to restore Richard’s sense of hope and joy. He knew exactly what to say to me to silence the voice of fear. He used the situation to help both myself and Richard. He restored Richard’s hope and He showed me my heart.
Now my heart and my prayer is to see everyone as the Lord sees them…from His perspective, through His eyes, untainted by life experiences that color my perception.
Genesis 16:13 says, “Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who has spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me.’”
He is the God who sees you. Whatever season you are in and circumstances you face, know that God sees you; He is fully aware of every aspect of every circumstance. He is concerned about every detail of your life; and moreover, He will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8).
