God Sees Us When Others Don’t

Genesis 16:13–14 (NIV)

“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.’”

Often in human nature, we see people for who they are to us or what they do for us.

We see our physicians as the people who help us when we are sick.
We see our safety officers as those we call when we feel unsafe.
We see our children’s teachers as their educators.
We see our parents as the ones responsible for bringing us into this world — and taking us out if we get it twisted (black mama to black mama over here).

But do we see them as “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) — flawed humans made in God’s image, each with a God-given purpose?

Let’s simplify that statement.

Do we first see people as human, and then see them for who they are — not just for what they do?

Hagar was initially seen by her mistress Sarai, but only as a solution to what she considered a problem — someone to birth their inheritance.

She did not see Hagar as a woman existing in forced servitude, unable to make her own life choices.
She did not see her as a woman with dreams, desires, and hopes for her own family and future.

Sarai saw her as a “means to an end” — a child.

And after delivering that child, Sarai saw Hagar again only through the lens she had already created for her — disrespectful and ungrateful.

Hagar went from a solution to a problem.

But God…

After being mistreated by her mistress and ignored by her child’s father, Hagar fled to a far-off place.
Not to be seen, but forgotten.

Yet God sent His angel to see about her.

He saw her.
Her pain.
Her sorrow.
Her unjust treatment.
Her desire to run away and never return.

And in that place of feeling unseen, Hagar was fully seen by the One who created her.

God did not see her as a problem to solve or a burden to carry.
He saw her as His daughter.

In her despair, Hagar was seen, heard, and loved - not in perfection, but in her humanity.

And when she returned, she carried with her the reminder that even when others failed to see her worth, God never did.

If you are feeling unseen today, especially by the people who should see you most.

Please know this:

You are seen by your Father.

He sees every treasure He placed within you, and every flaw that does not define you, and never will.

God sees you not for what you do, but for who He created you to be.

Prayer:

Father God,

Thank you for not only seeing me, but finding me exactly where I am.

Help me to know that I am not what I do, but who I am.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Made in your image - and it cannot get any better than that!!!

When I start to see myself as others see me, and not how You do,
Remind me that you did not create me based on anyone else’s standards or preferences.

But, you created me in your image,
For your Glory,
Your purpose.
And I am blessed to be seen and known by You.

The Creator of the Universe sees lil’ old me, and I’m grateful!

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.