At this time Sarai is treating Hagar so badly that Hagar decides to run away from the toxic environment. How many of us women have found ourselves in situations that we did not ask for or have agreed to? How many of us have had to deal with infidelity, rape, rejection, single-parenting, sexual abuse and abandonment? The list is endless and exhausting. However, there are good news!

As we begin the celebration of all thing’s women for the month of August, I would like us to talk a little about how intrinsically valuable we are to the one who created us. 

As women, we face many challenges and there are often too many expectations on us, not forgetting the unrealistic ones we place on ourselves, which often leave us feeling depleted and not living up to some unrealistic standard that no one can achieve. I would love to talk, this time round, about Hagar. 

She is introduced to us in the book of Genesis 16 vs 1-16. Hagar was an Egyptian maidservant in the household of Abram, and his wife Sarai couldn’t bear children. Sarai therefore suggested to her husband that she sleeps with Hagar in order for Sarai to have children through her. 

For me, there are two big questions with this plot. 

Firstly, why is Sarai just fine with her husband hooking himself up on the side? I guess she is not the jealous type. Your girl will be tearing Abram and Hagar to pieces. I’m just saying…I am not the sharing type when it comes to my guy. Secondly, the Bible does not mention whether or not Hagar had a choice in this whole situation. 

So here is Hagar, now pregnant with her master’s child. She is showing off her childbearing powers to her mistress (why do we women do this o each other?), who now despises her. Let’s not forget that this was her idea. Let’s assume that Hagar didn’t have a choice in the matter…she is pregnant, against her will and despised by her boss. She is a sex-slave.  The mistress, who by now has had enough of her servant girl, talks to her husband asking him to kick out the pregnant servant. She does not want to face the consequences of her decisions. The baby-daddy (aka Abram) tells his wife Sarai, “she is your servant and do with her whatever you decide” (Abram!! did Hagar fall pregnant by herself?!). 

At this time Sarai is treating Hagar so badly that Hagar decides to run away from the toxic environment. How many of us women have found ourselves in situations that we did not ask for or have agreed to? How many of us have had to deal with infidelity, rape, rejection, single-parenting, sexual abuse and abandonment? The list is endless and exhausting. However, there are good news! 

We serve a good who does not leave us in our messes, the ones we created ourselves or created by others.  He is committed to your wellbeing and restoration. Let’s go back to Hagar. She is not in a good situation: she is on the street, without a husband and pregnant. Since she is from Egypt I assume that she doesn’t have any family around, and even if she has, who would want a girl pregnant with an illegitimate baby? 

In Genesis 16 vs 7 we see that the angel of the Lord finds Hagar in despair and without a solution. The angel asks her two very important questions. These would be good questions to ask ourselves too once in a while.  The two questions are: “where have you come from?”,  and “where are you going?“. Hagar proceeds to tell the angel her entire story, and after listening attentively, the angel of the Lord commands her to go back to her mistress and to submit to her. The angel of the Lord adds by giving her promises that the Lord has for her.  He promised to increase her descendants, and the Lord gave her a name for her unborn son, Ishmael. Ishmael which means “God hears”.  

Hagar chose to obey God in the midst of circumstances that did not make sense to her. She chose to trust Him and believe His promises. Her response to the angel of the Lord is “you are the God who sees me, for I have now seen the One who sees me”. 

My sister, beautiful daughter of the King. I do not know what impossible situation you are facing right now or what trauma you are enduring. Here is what I do know…there is a God that SEES you. He knows every detail of your life and you matter and are valuable to Him. 

Make time this women’s month to take stock of your life and ask yourself these questions: “where do you come from?” and “where are you going?”. What is God asking you to do? What promises is He/ has He given you?  

Freedom and purpose are only found in obedience to Him who has fearfully and wonderfully created you. Take responsibility for your life by choosing to surrender it to God.  Hagar took responsibility of her life, by submitting to God in through an impossible situation and entrusting her life to the one who does not break promises. The Promise Keeper. 

Remember you are intrinsically valuable, and HE SEES YOU!