A Quiet Time Guide in Celebration of International Women’s Day
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the one who sees me?” Genesis 16:13 NLT
I see you. Three simple words often used today to mean recognizing someone’s strength or accomplishment or understanding where a person is coming from. Imagine God saying that - I see you. I’m proud of you. I understand what you’re going through.
Powerful, right? We all want to be seen and heard. One description of God is El Roi, the God who sees. We will be studying this topic together as we celebrate International Women's Day. Our hope is that these scriptures, thoughts and questions fuel your relationship with God. Enjoy this guide as we celebrate seeing and hearing from God and also being seen and heard by God and others.
For links to the whole series, see https://www.womentoday.international/2023-international-womens-day
Seeing The Bigger Picture
Florence Schachinger, Southern Connecticut, USA
Take a moment to be quiet with God. Begin by reading 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Just like Hagar, I have encountered the God who saw me as a desperate young woman trying to fill my heart with the empty way of life. Sitting under my tree and not liking who I had become and afraid of the future. God saw me, he loved me and transformed me. Now as a woman of maturity (38 years later!) my Father in heaven STILL sees me! He is molding me, moving my heart, and desiring for me to see the bigger picture! Many times, just as I think, OK God I see what you're doing, a twist in the plot happens! Father, you certainly keep me on my faithful toes!! Satan wants to take my eyes off the big picture and for me to get distracted, discouraged, doubtful, and even at times disillusioned.
Moses chose to be mistreated because he was looking ahead to his reward! (Hebrews 11:24-27 AMP) Moses left Egypt unafraid, “for he endured, steadfastly as seeing Him who is unseen.” How can I grow in this perspective, this conviction, this faith? I need to open my spiritual eyes! I need to look all around me at the trees, birds, ocean, my vegetable garden, a new baby grandson and SEE the invisible God become visible! Words that stand out to me in 2 Corinthians 4 NIV are:
“Because we know…” 2 Corinthians 4:14
Do I see God’s power? Am I meditating on the truth of how big God is? Look at Job 38 if you need a reminder, like me!
“All this is for your benefit…” 2 Corinthians 4:15
Perspective! Grace will increase, God will be glorified, thanksgiving will flow, SOMEHOW! Do I see the benefits when I am walking “in the valley of the shadow of death”? Do I remember that it says in Psalm 23 that He is WITH me? Will I allow Him to teach me through the difficult times to see the big picture?
“We do not lose heart” 2 Corinthians 4:16
How can I renew my heart daily for God? How can I keep the right perspective and protect and care for my soul? What are these troubles achieving in my walk with God?
“Fix our eyes…” 2 Corinthians 4:18
What are my eyes fixed on? What will help me see things as “light & momentary?”
Prayer: Lord, help me trust your plan, to see the bigger picture. To know with confidence you are with me, open my eyes today!
4 Comments
Mar 13, 2023, 8:58:38 PM
Rebecca Vergara - Thank you Florence for the awesome message. Looking back in my past and the present God really showed that He sees me and hear me. Thank you for reminding me that He Still See me and I need to see the Big picture. That He never stop teaching me, helping me through all the difficulties in life and be more mature in my faith in Him. Somehow I can relate when you said we need to look around and see God in His creations. I love listening to the birds every morning as if they were singing praises to God. I love looking at my plants especially my prayer plants that reminds me that even plants prays to God. When I see how God blessed me with 4 beautiful children and How He answered my prayers for them. How God answered me when I was young that if I marry lead me to a godly man. Again thank you sis. Happy women’s day! May God continue to bless your heart and keep you safe.
Mar 9, 2023, 2:09:21 PM
Amy Cole Neessen - Thank you, Florence, for these important reminders!!💕
Mar 7, 2023, 7:01:30 PM
Marie Bataller Dacillo - Thank you for sharing such like this sister in Christ..Indeed I have a lot of ideas come up when I read and realized that as woman i need a lot of things to be done like seing women around the globe do not have a right relationship with our God And realized they need help thru us..and how to grow matured with my walk with God. Regards sending huge to everyone there..please stay safe.
Mar 7, 2023, 2:03:17 AM
Marife Sicad - Thank you for sharing the message. ❤