Hagar and Heroes

In Scripture, the first time we are introduced to God as "El Roi," The God Who Sees, is in Genesis 16, in the story of Hagar. Hagar was a maidservant turned fertile concubine. Her fertility was a slap in the face to Sarah, who'd sought for years to bear Abraham a son. She was prideful about her pregnancy, and Sarah mistreated her. So she fled. Alone. Frightened. Without provision. Without status. Without hope. And, it was in that place, weeping by the roadside, that an angel of the LORD appears to her, delivering a message from God Himself. Upon receiving the message, the promise of protection and provision for herself and her unborn child, she calls the LORD, El Roi, "the God who sees me."
In discussing the teaching of this story with a friend the other day, I was asked the question, "How do you make a hero out of Hagar?" You see, she wanted to tell this woman's story, but she didn't quite feel comfortable with making her a heroine. In a moment I can only describe as Providential, I said the first thing that came to mind. "You don't." You see, Hagar is not the hero of this story; God is. He is always the Hero. The story isn't about her; it's about the God who sees her, the God who sees the invisible woman.
It's why we love Him. It's why we stand in awe of Him. It's why we need Him.
Thinking about Hagar also got me to thinking about another, more prominent Biblical woman - Mary. It is Christmas time after all, and certainly, we're hearing more about her right now. Mary, the amazing woman-child who bore the incarnate deity. The chosen servant of God. I've heard a number of sermons extolling her virtues. But you know what? Mary isn't anymore a heroine than Hagar is. God is the Hero in her story, too. He didn't choose her to bear the Christ child because of how worthy she was, but because of how unlikely she was. He is in the business of displaying His glory. It's always about Him.
And, that gets me to thinking about my story, and who the hero is there. It certainly isn't me. When God's power is displayed in human frailty, that isn't cause for me to boast. Paul said it best in II Corinthians 11:30, "If I must boast, I will boast in things that display my weakness." In other words, don't see me, and if you do see me, see how weak I am. Only when you recognize how weak I am, can you understand how GREAT God is.
He is always the Hero.