I didn't write this. But I sure do want to share it. - JH
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“The angel of the Lord found Hagar by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am running away….’” (Genesis 16:7-8).
God already knew where Hagar was. Yet He “found” her anyway. God already knew why she was running. Yet He asked her anyway. God engaged Hagar, already knowing everything that had happened to her. But He wanted her to tell Him in her own words.
The psalmist writes, “Trust in Him … pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).
A pent-up heart knows no intimacy with God. It is the poured-out heart that draws near to God. Maybe this is foreign to you. Maybe you don’t grasp how a God who already knows your story could still want to hear it from you. He wants a relationship with you and relationships are never one-sided.
Maybe you’re ashamed of your story. I certainly was. And yet, never once have I poured out my heart, even the most humiliating parts, and felt shamed by Him. And neither will you. When I’d been done wrong, I told Him who it was and what they’d done. He already knew. But He wanted me to tell Him and know I was heard.
I can’t think of a set of questions more catalytic to starting a relationship with God (or returning to a relationship with God) than these divine inquiries: Why are you running? Where have you been and where are you going?
We’re all running from something. And most of the time, we have little idea where we’re going and paltry understanding about where we’ve been. I just wanted to say to you this morning that you are seen by the Lord. He already knows. He’s already there. He loves you so much and He has sought you out. He cares where you’ve been and where you’re trying to go.
He already knows it all. Tell Him anyway.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
This is awesome !!