Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 33:18 ESV
Illustration
A burglar surveyed a neighborhood watching for homes left unguarded by people leaving for vacation. He watched as a family loaded their suitcases into their car and departed. He waited until dark and then approached the front door and rang the bell. There was no answer. The burglar neatly picked the lock and let himself in. He called into the darkness, "Is anybody home?" He was stunned when he heard a voice in reply, "I see you, and Jesus sees you." Terrified, the burglar called out, "Who's there?" Again, the voice came back, "I see you, and Jesus sees you." The burglar switched on his flashlight and aimed it in the direction of the voice. He was instantly relieved when his light revealed a caged parrot reciting the refrain, "I see you, and Jesus sees you." The burglar laughed out loud and switched on the lights. Then he saw it. Beneath the parrot's cage was a huge Doberman pinscher. Then the parrot said, "Attack, Jesus, attack!"
It is natural to want to be seen by others. Our humanity is affirmed when we are noticed. Our sense of sight is a message from God to others. It is through our eyesight God lets others know they are seen by Him. No relationship can succeed without the individuals seeing each other. Long-distance relationships tend to be more challenging precisely because human emotional connections require physical touch and sight.
During the pandemic, many individuals struggled with anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental diseases because they were forced to stay at home and not be seen by others. Many elderly individuals died in their homes because others could not come to see about them due to the virus. What makes the death of a loved one such a traumatic experience is that we will not physically see that person again.
The good news is that God sees us even when others make us feel irrelevant and invisible. God sees the ones who struggle with loneliness with no one to care for them or come see them. He sees the people who are abused in nursing homes, the victims of sex trafficking, people who are lingering in prison with no one to visit them. God sees the orphans who are forsaken by their parents. He sees the victims of physical and sexual abuse, as well as the thousands of children who are dying of hunger every day.
No one is invisible to God. He knows every detail of our lives, understands our fears, and cares about our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. God sees those who are struggling to finish school and earn a degree. He sees the individuals who are searching for employment and those who are denied an earned promotion. God sees the wife or husband who longs for a healthy and happy marriage amid emotional or physical abuse. He sees parents who are forced to work many jobs paying minimum wages so they can take care of their families.
More importantly, God sees you. He sees you when you are tired, brokenhearted, afraid, lonely, and discouraged. God sees your drive to succeed, the long hours you put in to grow your business, the sacrifice you are making to keep your head above water and be self-sufficient. God sees when you are unjustly and unfairly treated. He sees when you are denied opportunities because of your gender or race or ethnicity. God sees when demonic forces are attacking you and trying to deceive you to forsake Him.
Because God sees you, He will take care of you. The eyes of the Lord are on you. So don’t be afraid to be completely transparent with Him. Share your burdens with the Lord and confide in Him. He knows the plans He has for you and promises to be with you until the end of time. No matter where you are or how irrelevant or unimportant others may make you feel, remember, you are loved by God, and He sees you.
Questions for Personal Reflection
What does it mean to you to be seen by God?
Why is it important for us to know that God sees us?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, I thank you for seeing me just as I am. I do not have to pretend with you because I know you see me at my best and at my worst. Thank you for not forsaking me when I disobey your will for my life. May I continue to hope in your steadfast love and know that you are always looking at me and looking out for me.