Oh Hagar...

Hagar’s story is one that often gets overlooked, yet it carries a depth that resonates with so many of us. She wasn’t the chosen one. She wasn’t the one through whom nations would rise or promises would unfold. She was the outsider, the servant, the one who was used and discarded when she no longer served a purpose. And yet, in her pain, in her wilderness, Hagar encountered the God who sees.

Her story begins in Genesis 16, intertwined with Abram and Sarai’s struggle to trust God’s promise of a child. Hagar was drawn into their doubt, given to Abram as a means to fulfill what seemed impossible. When she became pregnant, tension rose, and Sarai’s harsh treatment sent Hagar fleeing into the wilderness. Alone, frightened, and likely questioning her worth, Hagar encountered something extraordinary: God met her.

In that barren place, by a spring of water, the angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar and called her by name. “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” -Genesis 16:8. God acknowledged her pain, saw her suffering, and gave her a promise of her own.

And then Hagar did something remarkable—she gave God a name. She said, “You are the God who sees me” -Genesis 16:13. Imagine that. A woman who felt unseen, unvalued, and discarded by others was fully seen and deeply valued by God.

Oh Hagar, how your story mirrors ours.

Haven’t we all been there? In seasons where we feel unseen, unloved, or discarded by those around us? Maybe it’s the rejection of a friend, the breakdown of a relationship, or the ache of being overlooked. Maybe it’s the weight of mistakes or the sharp sting of someone else’s choices that left us broken in the aftermath.

We, too, run into our own wilderness, desperate for relief, for answers, for a glimmer of hope. And like Hagar, we often carry with us the questions: Where have I come from? Where am I going?

But here’s the beauty of Hagar’s story—it didn’t end in despair. God met her in her wilderness, and He meets us in ours.

He is the God who sees.

So often, we focus on the big heroes of the Bible—Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul. But isn’t it just beautiful that the Lord places the stories of what some would see as insignificant secondary characters in His Word? He shows us that He wrote their stories too, that theirs matter. Hagar’s life reminds us that no one is overlooked in the Kingdom of God. If He sees the one running into the wilderness, He sees you too.

He sees the tears you cry in the middle of the night, the fears you hide behind a brave face, and the burdens you carry that no one else seems to notice. He sees the pain of your past and the uncertainty of your future. And He doesn’t turn away. Instead, He draws near. He whispers promises over you. He speaks truth into your heart.

And like Hagar, He asks us to trust Him. He doesn’t always promise to take away the wilderness, but He does promise to be with us in it. He sees us, and He loves us.

Hagar’s story is a reminder that our worth is not defined by how others treat us or by the circumstances we find ourselves in. Our worth is defined by the God who sees us and calls us His own.

So today, if you find yourself feeling unseen, take heart in this truth: You are fully known and deeply loved by the One who formed you. There is no wilderness too vast, no pain too deep, and no story too messy for the God who sees.

And just as He met Hagar in her despair, He will meet you in yours.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18

May we, like Hagar, lift our eyes and find hope in the God who sees. May we trust His promises even in the wilderness, knowing that His plans for us are good.

You are seen. You are loved. You are never alone.

Love Sarah xx.

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*I truly hope you enjoy this series, where we get to know the minor players with a big impact! Thank you for showing up here and hearting, commenting & sharing. It means so much to me! Don’t forget you can join the Little Sparrow Loved Crew and dive deeper with me in this space as we journey together (totally optional of course).

*For my little Sparrow Loved Crew… don’t forget to drop into the chat as I share a video and dive a little deeper into my thoughts on Hagar and how her story has impacted me! Messy hair included…