I drive over the top of the hill and come down the other side. The earth opens up wide before me. Highway 70 between Hermann and Columbia, MO is lonely. If it weren’t for the corn, I could be in a desert. But here in this one spot I rush up what feels like a mountain compared to the flatland I’ve been through and at the top, the earth opens up and I drive into a deep valley. Green rolling hills dotted with darker shapes of cloud shadows. Vultures fly almost below me it seems. Swirling, looking. I have a bird’s eye view of them.
What are they looking for?
Their circling dance over the earth reminds me of me.
I going round and round in life seeking. Seeking something. Seeking many things at different times.
Vindication. Less corruption and more Dedication. Justification. Satisfaction.
Righteous Jurisdiction over all of our affliction,
Godly administration.
Organization.
Recognition.
A portion.
Conviction.
Recreation.
A revolution. In my own heart.
Verification. Distraction. A proclamation. Signification.
To have more adoration and devotion…for Him.
Communication and confirmation.
Purification. Affection. To see more clearly the incarnation.
Reception. No more persecution. Restitution. Accommodation.
Affirmation. A lifting of my limitations. Less aggravation and perspiration.
Life continuation. Determination.
Maybe even a bit of glorification. Right now.
Vacation from what sometimes feels like tribulation. Refreshment from exhaustion. A transition.
Action.
Resurrection.
My heart longing for things throughout life. Brief moments or long seasons…there are just some times when a tiny morsel of hope in a certain area of life would do my heart good.
Much of the time I fail to see that there is someone watching over my hunt. Someone above me. With a bird’s eye view.
The One who provides all that I…NEED. All that is right for me and, most importantly, right for His glory.
Do I know in my heart of hearts…deep in my soul…that I have a God who…with His own lips said these words:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[b] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34).
He flies over me looking down. He knows my cares, longings and even sometimes unreasonable anxieties before I speak them. Even if I never speak them.
Yes. He IS El Roi…The God Who Sees.
“For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths” (Proverbs 5:21).
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:2-4).
That Egyptian girl, Hagar (Genesis 16), she knew this too. She found out that God knew right where she had been, where she was at the time (a desolate place) and where she was going. Perhaps as she watched birds circling overhead…maybe she wondered too if the God of Abram and Sarai knew her, saw her, even cared.
“Where is this God? Where is this one who designed me? Who has a purpose for me? Who promises that all things work together for…good. If He really knows what’s going on, how could he allow…
Does He see?”
She had fled to the desert.
Have you ever felt that the most desolate place would be better than where you are? Must have been bad.
But even the desert is not so desolate for the Lord. And He proved Himself to her as the God who pursues and the God Who Sees. She was able to say, “You are the God who sees me. I have now seen the One who sees me.”
He cares, pursues, sees, interacts and guides. He is intimately involved.
Have you had a time in your life where you knew that you had seen the One who sees you? A time that you hold onto now to get you through the desolate times?
Or maybe you are in that time right now?
I pray that the Lord would firmly impress upon your heart once again that He IS The God Who Sees.
I’d love to read your comments and to hear your stories on this…
Photo from Marcus Bain on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusbain/2318382210/
I’ve always found that meditating on the absolute sovereignty of God brings great peace. I find this theme yet again in your post, God knows it is timely for me! Thanks for sharing & blessings to you.
Some don’t like the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. The flip side is much worse, though, in my opinion. I need to remind myself of it often because I too find great peace in it. Always timely! Thanks for visiting my blog…
I know that stretch of highway well – I’ll not be able to drive it without thinking on what you’ve shared here. Thank you.
I see you’re in Missouri–what town/city? Glad this post will bring up thoughts on God when you drive through there! Blessings…
He is indeed! What a sweet blessing to know how much He loves us and cares for us so intimately that even the tiniest thing is of importance to Him. Thank you for the lovely reminder!
Beautiful imagery here. I can imagine those rolling hills through the cornfields on the east coast where I am from. El Roi is my favorite name for God. These scriptures I hold close to my heart! Thank you for sharing and have a blessed weekend! Love, Rachael
Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad the imagery transported you back to where you are from!
He never loses sight of us even when we can’t perceive Him in our situations. How comforting to know!
I so wish I wouldn’t lose sight of Him!!
I felt you circling – I get caught up in my own circling. I am learning, though, He is with me. All I have to do is set myself (land) in comfort of His shadow – not run away – just let go! Isn’t it wonderful when we find the messages and love letters He sends us – even in lonely drives! Thank you for sharing that message!
I like how you expressed that–landing in the comfort of his shadow and let go. Helped me! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, AMEN! So thankful that He see me and looks up
Beautiful post! Thank you.
Thanks Barbie—for reading an stopping by!
Thank you. Its good to read your thought! Hopeful.
Thanks for stopping by…I was encouraged by your site as well…
Lovely post! No matter where we go or what we do, we can never be far from His comforting presence. Without Him our world would spin out of control! He uses His hand to show us so much gentleness and kindness, and is with us in every situation to protect, love, and guide us.
Blessings and love!
Denise
What comforting thoughts you’ve added for me. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for visiting me! I felt like I was on the spiral with you and on the lonely road. We definitely seek seek seek constantly — when the void we need to fill is only capable of being filled by God.
What a thought provoking post.
Bless you!
Beth
A good point–that the searching is a void that can only be filled by God. Thank you for stopping by here!
I have found that these desert places drives my deeper into the Life of our Lord Jesus! After all, He is the only Spiritual Fountain of life that can quench that spiritual thirst! Great and honest post, thank you!!
Blessings XX
Mia
I’ve driven that “desert road” in MO and I’ve walked that spiritual road many times- that lonely place of wondering if God sees me. El Roi is one of my favorite names for God- thanks for bringing me back to that simple truth: He SEES. Always. Glad to have found you through Jen’s link up today.
It is comforting to know others can relate because they have walked that spiritual road too…thank you for stopping by here!
Oh the part that gripped me was when you said…”How easy it is to forget that there is someone above me, watching over my hunt.” Oh yes…God is above us, isn’t He friend! Oh that we might not miss Him as we move on through our desert places. Jen from UNITE Linky
A good prayer–to not miss Him. It is a sad moment when I see that in some o f my “hunts” I have not sought Him first and foremost or primarily. Thanks for stopping by!
What amazes me always is nit just how our Pappa sees us, but especially in those times of pain, distress ans suffering, He is so close as if He cradles us in the comfort of His Embrace!
Blessings XX
Mia
Yes–it is too bad we feel that most in the painful times…(at least that is my experience!) Blessings…