I See You

I went to a church service the other day, and one of the pastors said something that stuck out to me.

I see you.

You could feel the energy in the room shift when he paused after he spoke those words.

As I looked around, I saw tears of longing and hope forming in the eyes of many people, both young and old.

It was beautiful and sad all at the same time.

On the one hand, we all long to be seen - really seen - as our true selves, not the fake ones we put out into the world.

We want to know that we are not forgotten, that someone notices us, and that we are not irrelevant or invisible. 

But on the other hand, that possibility terrifies us. 

We don't want people to know what is going on behind closed doors, behind the smiles, the hashtags, and the posts. 

We put on our invisibility cloaks and do what we always do- we hide, we numb, we fake, and we disappear under the rocks, hoping no one finds us.

But then we hear those words - I see you.

Something beautiful happens when someone who cares for us reaches out and says, "I love you, I care about you, and I see that you are hurting. You are not alone. I am here."

Something beautiful happens when God whispers our name and calls us up and out, "I love you, my child. I see where you are and I am here to bring you back to Me."

It's beautiful and terrifying.

But you don't have to be afraid. 

It is time to come out of hiding. 

You are loved, and you are safe to be seen as you are because you are absolutely breathtaking.

Nothing you have done, are doing, or will do is ever stop God from loving you and searching for you until He finds you and brings you back to Him.

Nothing.

NOTHING!

God has found you, and He is never, EVER going to let you go.

Psalm 33:13-15

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— He who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything they do.

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Psalm 34: 17-18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.