Invisible to People but Visible to God

Have you heard of the term social invisibility? It’s a term used to describe certain people in society who have been separated or systematically ignored by the majority culture. As a result, these people who are marginalized feel neglected or invisible in society.

Invisible people are victims of systemic racism, abuse, inner-city decay, discrimination, generational poverty, and trauma. According to an article in the Huffington Post, “invisible people all too often have been deemed by society as “scum.”

I heard someone say,

“The only thing worse than being alone is being invisible because it feels as if you’re dead and forgotten by others.”

When I think of the ‘Invisibles’ in our society, I think of the immigrant and indigenous. The orphan (youth in foster care) and the widow. The homeless, destitute and the displaced. The refugee, the infertile and the mentally ill. The deaf, mute and those with autism. The ex-offenders and minorities. I think of people living in the hood (public housing projects) and those scrimping by on public welfare. The INVISIBLES in our society are the disadvantaged, disenfranchised, disconnected and distraught.

If you are reading this and identify with one of the invisible people groups mentioned above OR if you’d say to me “Radhika, I can relate to feeling invisible because I don’t feel like anyone cares about me”—I want you to know I care about you. But most importantly, GOD CARES ABOUT YOU! People may turn away from you BUT GOD TURNS TOWARD YOU!!

People may have shamed you, despised you, rejected you, laughed at you, shunned you, ignored you and decided to avoid you– but I’m here to say GOD SEES YOU and He receives you! He is not blind to the hurt and pain others have caused you. And just like Sarai who treated Hagar harshly and humiliated her, to the point of her running away (Gen. 16:8-10), God sought her out and gave her a blessing.

God saw Hagar’s suffering (Gen. 16:11). And He sees and hears YOUR suffering. He knows all about your pain and shame. He knows who did you wrong and how they made you feel invisible–unwanted, unloved and unworthy of love, acceptance, and belonging. But God wants you to remember that you are not forgotten. He knows your name. He sees your tears. He is aware of your pain.

And just because others fail to see your value, genius, and giftedness, that doesn’t make you worthless. Even Jesus, in all of His glory and divine greatness, was not recognized as the son of God. Jesus was despised and rejected by people. Many saw Jesus as just a man. And they missed the fact that He was the Savior of the world.

So please. Don’t get upset or disappointed when others fail to acknowledge you. Hold your head up high knowing you are fully loved, seen and cherished by your Creator. You have not been forgotten by God. And although you may feel invisible to some people. You’re NEVER invisible to God!