El Roi

 

Sometimes on a Sunday morning, I walk out into the narthex where all sorts of lovely conversations are taking place, and I feel utterly invisible.  No one needs a greeting, each person is already involved with someone, no one needs me for business of any kind, and I circle the crowd looking for someone to talk with.  

And then I head into the library where I get lost in the stacks, and feel perfectly content.

 

When was the last time you felt invisible?  

Genesis 16 tells the achingly tragic story of Hagar, simply a pawn in Sarah's attempt to accomplish God's will in her own way.  After being ordered by her mistress to sleep with Abram in order to bear the promised child, Sarah abuses her for being snooty about her pregnancy.  (Go figure.)  

As would any of us, she escapes into the wilderness.  

And is met by the Lord Christ Himself, in the form of a Messenger of the Lord.  

(Not exactly what you would expect under the circumstances.) 

Interestingly, He asks her 2 questions: 

Where have you come from, 

and where are you going? 

He wants her to speak the truth of her circumstances, and she does.  

Then He commands her to return to Sarah 

and promises her many descendants, 

whereupon she calls Him El Roi, 

the God who sees me. 

Beautiful, isn't it?  

Tell us about a time when you felt invisible.