– Genesis 16:9
Thank You Sir - May I Have Another!
In this story we find Hagar running away from Sarai (Abram's wife), because Sarai was harassing and abusing her. The Angel of God found her taking a break in the desert and when He asked her what she was doing, she explained that she was running away.
It's pretty typical of what we do when we get ourselves in situations where we are being treated poorly. It could be at work, where your boss or supervisor is constantly on your back and no matter what you do, you just keep getting put-down, stepped-over, and fed-up. Or, it could be in a relationship that was good for a while, but at some point turned sour and instead of walking hand-in-hand with the one you love, you're running away and not answering your e-mail, your phone, your door! Or maybe it's in a family situation, and you just need to get away from all the drama, and the turmoil, and the craziness.
No matter the situation, it's not all the other person's fault. We have a role to play in everything that happens to us. Just like Hagar, who had it pretty good for a while, but because she started getting a little cocky, and her pride got in the way of her common sense, she found herself in a situation that she just wanted out of. We too, either took that job with high hopes, entered into the relationship with stars in our eyes and butterflies in our stomach, or enjoyed the family gatherings and Sunday dinners and even contributed to the "quirkiness" and "uniqueness" of whatever clan you belong to. But somewhere along the line, something changed – in them, in you, in everything . . . who knows what it was? It really doesn't matter, the fact is that somewhere along the line, something changed.
SO here's the cool thing . . . God saw Hagar. He noticed what was happening to her. He wanted her to know that He knew so He sent an Angel to let her know. He sees you too. He knows what you are going through. He hears your prayers and your cries of frustration and He wants you to know that He knows.
Here's the bummer . . . sometimes, He wants you to keep on enduring. Sometimes (not all the time mind you), but sometimes He needs you to keep taking the abuse and enduring the heartache, and learning how to de-stress at the end of each day. Sometimes He has something in the works that will bless you and those around you and He needs you to figure out a way to still show His Love, and Grace, and Forgiveness as you endure the misery that makes you want to run away.
Now here's the lesson . . . we need to learn how to hear God's heart. We have to know that He loves us and that He is aware, and we have to understand that He will not put anything on us that, with His help, we cannot endure or overcome. We have to walk in faith – faith that He is God, and when it is time to move, He will open the door. You won't have to run away in fear, but when the time comes to run, He will clear a path for you to run, and He will let you know that it is time to go.
His timing. His purpose. All for His Glory.
That's why we are here. That's why sometimes we have to put up with bosses who are out to get us, and relationships that are making you crazy, and family members who make you want to pull your hair out. It's so that He, our Father, our God, will be glorified through the victory we receive, through our endurance, and our perseverance, and our obedience – to Him.
Prayer
Father, help us to endure the hard things. Thank You for letting us know that You see us and that You know the situations that make us want to run away. Help us to know when it's time to stay and when it's time to move on, and to understand that Your will is greater than our need for easy living. Give us the desire to be servants and to serve with good attitudes and grateful hearts.
Have a blessed day everyone!
– Richard
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