When you see a picture like this, (people holding signs at the corner) which words come to your mind? Here are some of the words I have heard. Homeless. Beggar. Loser. Lonely. Hurt. Reject. Bum. Addict.
I often see these “friends” while out on a run. I always try and say, “hello”. I feel it is a small way to help them feel ‘seen’.
I took this picture the other day at a stoplight. The 2 gentleman were holding signs. While the signs weren’t visible, I imagine it said something about needing help to eat.
Often times we will just look the other way, in hopes of not making eye contact. But that is not God. Despite the challenges, God sees these friends.
There’s a story in the Bible of a woman named Hagar. Hagar was not being treated as a person. She was being treated as a slave. She was NOT treated as a child of God.
Yet, despite her being an abused woman, she is the first person to ever give God a name. In Hebrew, she calls God, “El Roi” ‘You are the God who sees me’.
Isn’t that amazing?
God sees. And more specifically, God sees those who are suffering.
What about you? Do you believe that God sees you? Well, if you’ve ever received a text from someone on a bad day, that reveals, “The God who sees you.”
Those moments when you’re weak. Lonely. Rejected. Alone. Well, don’t believe that lie.
God’s eyes are on the the suffering. The powerless. The unseen. And, God wants us to see the unseen, too–and do something about it.
Let’s keep our eyes open and be ready to partner with God. How? Through a simple hello. Through offering help. Through a kind word of encouragement.
See the unseen. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!