“Yet even as we might naturally clamor to get out of these places, He [God] continues to use the unwelcomed, unbending circumstances to show us that He sees, He knows. . . . We feel like we’re waiting it out or merely enduring hardship, but, from God’s angle, these times are purposed.”- Sara Hagerty
As Sara Hagerty continues Chapter 1 of Unseen, she remarks God her “unproductive” time to draw her closer to Him. As Sara talked through God’s Word with Him during quiet times, she noticed more of Him. In addition, Sara realized God saw her in the minutia of her day.
Consequently, the author notes, for perhaps one of the first times in her life, she made eye contact with God. Rather than seeing God’s back as He charged ahead of her, Sara saw God turned toward her. And He looked at her “with a softheartedness and every-unfolding open stance.”
Therefore, in order to meet God’s eyes in ordinary times, we must change our assumptions about what matters most to God. If we see God as the Initiator on average, mundane days, we finally find deep soul-rest. Because we already have God’s attention, we don’t have to work so hard to get it.
However, Sara observes, hiddenness isn’t a concept our minds naturally apprehend. As the author explains, God tucks us away at times. He hides us in a difficult job or unwelcomed, unbending circumstances. Sara writes:
“He does this so that we might see another side of Him, this God who looks deeply and knowingly into us when no one else is looking or noticing, and come alive in those places.”
Today’s question: How does God use unwelcomed, unbending circumstances to show you that He sees and knows? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of The Imperfect Disciple
