“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Genesis 13:6-13 

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
John 9:3-4

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We live in such a connected world that, if we allow it, we can dial into stories of war, famine, poverty, and conflict on a daily basis.  Often my heart bursts, and simultaneously, my feet are paralyzed by too many ways to engage. It is tempting to think that someone else will respond and wonder how I can make even a dent in the face of so much need.

Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to El Salvador to work with our partner, Enlace, and connect with local churches. I was told we could encourage them and share stories about ministry in the United States. Hoping to show up well-prepared, I thought of words I could say and lessons I could use to inspire them. I desired to bless these communities—it turns out that is not quite what God had planned.  

Our time together was spent in circles, getting to hear their stories.  I quickly found that even though we do ministry in such different settings, we have far more in common than we do differences. I felt connected to and inspired by these women who love the same God I do. In one particular sharing circle, I had not yet said a word.  As she was sharing her story, one of the Salvadorian women told us that she had been praying that God would encourage her to keep going in the face of some discouragement. She told us that her prayer was answered because God brought us to her. Because we traveled from our church, away from our families and our work, all the way to be with her, she felt seen by God.  

I didn’t have to say anything. Just showing up made her feel God was with her. God had used my presence (not my knowledge or my giftedness) to answer this lovely woman’s prayer. 

Next Steps

God is at work, and He is the God who sees. He is inviting us to be part of the work He is up to. He chooses us to “display the works of God”—not because we are so impressive or so prepared, but simply by showing up with the love of God. How will you respond to the stories of COH? Prayerfully consider how God is inviting you to simply show up.