El Roi

This is a name I'm becoming very familiar with, El Roi. When life is in shambles or it's just bumpy, El Roi is a comforting name. My life isn't even close to "in shambles", but life is bumpy right now. Rough roads make for tough spirits, though. A friend of mine introduced me to a quote, "Easy roads make sleepy travelers". And though the road is rough, it's better to be awake and growing than sleepy and dying. May your road is bumpy too, right now.

Well El Roi is the name that Hagar gives to God in Genesis 16:13. To give you context, Hagar doesn't say this in a moment of theological classification to say "God has eyes".

Hagar doesn't say this in a moment of overstating the obvious that since God knows all, he must see what is happening.

Hagar cries out in this naming of God in distress, saying "You see me in my need. And I know you care." Read Genesis 16 and you can hear her distress.

Whenever I read this I always hear a melody from a song by Bethel Music. Whenever I hear this song I always think "El Roi" especially when I hear the comforting declaration "NOTHING is hidden from Your sight. Wherever I go, You find me!"

Whether financial troubles, broken relationships, failing health, or any other moments where life isn't measuring up to the life that God originally intended in Genesis 1, there is comfort in these words. To know that God has "plans for good" (Gen 50:20, Jer 29:11) in pain and distress.

You have been
And You will be
And You have seen
And You will see

You know when I rise and when I fall
When I come or go, You see it all
You hung the stars and You move the sea,
And still You know me

And nothing is hidden from Your sight
Wherever I go, You find me
And You know every detail of my life
And You are God and You don't miss a thing