As I watch the late afternoon sun cast long shadows, I find myself reflecting on the name El Roi, “the God who sees.” It’s the name that resonates deeply within the quiet corners of my soul, especially when I feel unseen, unheard, or utterly alone. We all have those moments, don’t we? Times when the world seems to rush past, oblivious to the silent battles we’re fighting, the tears we’re holding back, or the hopes we’re clinging to by a thread.
I think of Hagar, pregnant and desolate, cast out into the wilderness. In her despair, it was El Roi who met her. He saw her, heard her cries, and provided for her, offering her a promise of a future she couldn’t possibly imagine. Genesis 16:13 says, “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.’”
How often do I feel like Hagar, wandering in a wilderness of my own making, or one thrust upon me? Perhaps it’s a wilderness of self-doubt, unfulfilled dreams, or grief. In those moments, it’s easy to believe that no one truly understands, but then, the whisper of El Roi breaks through the noise and encourages me.
Psalm 139:3 declares, “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” He is the God who sees me, in my mess and my glory, in my weakness and in my strength. In that seeing, there is profound comfort, unwavering love, and the quiet assurance that I am never truly alone.
~ Leah Burnett
Christ Fellowship