Questions that Clarify – Part 1

Life had overwhelmed.  The wrongs committed had embroiled her in an existence filled with harshness and despair. Consequently, Hagar fled.  She ran to the desert trying to outrun the questions that filled her soul. The slap of her sandals and the swish of her garments against the burning sand became a rhythmic sound of retreat.

At last, she crumpled in exhaustion beside a spring of water in the wilderness.  It was there in the reality of her desert that God came.

When you face a myriad of challenges that strip away your determination to go on, God knows. He will provide springs in the desert and renewal for your spirit.

God comes with comfort in your grief and clarity in your confusion. In God, you will find courage to go on.

Questions that Need Answered

It was the questions that stopped me mid-story.  Questions that seemed familiar and set me to searching. Then I realized it was only a few short days before in my Bible reading plan that God had asked a similar question to Adam and Eve.

Their choices brought sin into the world.  In shame, they hid themselves from God. Though God’s question to Adam and Eve was ‘where art thou?’ He knew their position.

As I sat with the questions that God confronted Hagar with, I recognized that God’s questions help to clarify our location.

“And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? And whither wilt thou go?

Genesis 16:8

Though God knows where we are physically, emotionally and spiritually there are times that we lose our bearings and wander aimlessly through the wilderness. It is during these times that pausing to answer these questions will help to clarify our position.

Where Did You Come From

This question reminds me of the children’s book, “Are You My Mother?” by P.D. Eastman.

In the story a baby bird hatches in a nest. His mother has left to find food. The baby bird is determined to find his mother.  The story traces the baby bird’s journey as he looks for his mother. Every creature he meets is asked the question, “Are you my Mother?”

The silliness of this book is not lost on the reader as we see a kitten, a dog and a cow posed with the question of motherhood.  Even a boat, an airplane and a ‘big thing’ was questioned.  The baby bird did not know its origin.

We can trace generational ancestors and peruse pedigrees but until we discover that God is our Creator and recognize the link to Almighty God that is imbedded within us, we will be unable to answer the question of our own beginning.

When we acknowledge that we come from God and therefore belong to Him we will find our home in Him.  With the knowledge that we are God’s, clarity returns. 

“Are You My Mother?” ends with the baby bird declaring that he knew his mother.  The bird also knew who his mother was not.

The Answer that Gives Clarity

Therein lies the secret.  When we know who God is, we are secure in his care.  Though we face desert experiences and numerous heartaches God can be our point of reference because we know Him.

Whatever region you may be walking through God knows your whereabouts. God called Hagar by name. He calls you by name as well. God wants to step into your situation and remind you that He is personally invested in your story. He will equip you with strength and courage to go on.

Your desert experience may bring about a loss of bearings for a time while questions bombard your mind. However, clarity will come.

Take time to answer the question of your origin. When you know you come from God, you will also know that you are safe with God.

What will you do today to expand your knowledge of who God is? It is in the reality of who He is that our hearts can confidently answer, “I come from God and in Him I am safe.”