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Bearing One Another’s Burdens – Week 1 Conclusion

This week we’ve journeyed with Hagar — a woman cast out, unseen by those who should have cared, yet found by God in the wilderness.

There, beside a spring in the desert, she encountered El Roi — “the God who sees me.”

That moment changed everything. Though her circumstances didn’t instantly resolve, her heart did. She knew she was no longer invisible.

The Healing That Begins with Sight

Every burden lightens a little when someone finally sees it.

When Hagar realized that heaven had noticed her tears, she found strength to keep walking. That is what divine seeing does — it restores hope where despair had settled.

And that same God still sees today: the weary parent doing their best, the student hiding anxiety behind a smile, the believer quietly wondering if their prayers still matter.

But seeing doesn’t stop with God.

Those who have been seen by Him are called to see others.

Becoming Mirrors of His Compassion

Throughout this week, we’ve practiced slowing down — to notice, to listen, to care.

That’s not sentimental; it’s sacred. It’s how the Spirit makes the unseen visible through us.

When we pause to notice a struggle, when we ask “How are you, really?” and wait for the answer, we reflect the heart of El Roi.

The God who saw Hagar now sees through His people.

To see as God sees is to join Him in healing what shame and pain have hidden.

A Gentle Bridge Forward

In today’s sermon, we’ll be introduced to another woman — one who, like Hagar, lived unseen for years.

Her shame built walls where connection should have been, yet the same God who saw Hagar by a spring in the wilderness saw her in the crowd.

The God who sees is also the God who restores.

This coming week, we’ll continue that journey as we begin Week 2: Breaking Chains Together — learning how faith, presence, and compassion help break the chains that shame builds and restore us to belonging.

But for now, this Sabbath is a time to rest in the gaze of the One who never looks away.

Let His seeing restore your peace, renew your hope, and prepare your heart to see others through His eyes.

A Sabbath Prayer

Lord, You saw Hagar in the wilderness, and You see us in ours.

Thank You for noticing what others miss.

Teach us to see as You see — with patience, kindness, and truth.

As we rest in Your presence today, prepare our hearts for next week’s journey:

from being seen to helping others break free from shame.

Amen.

Blessings in Jesus’ Name,

Tom Nicholas, Pastor

Spirit Filled / Engaging Deeply / Reaching Our Community for Christ