cellophane

Transparent. Glass. Cellophane. Invisible.

There's nothing that will make you feel invisible faster than a job search at over 50 years old.

As a woman of 54 years with many vibrant years of contribution left before me, I had no idea when we found it necessary to relocate and shift gears over the past few years that finding employers to even respond to my education and experience-laden resumé would prove to be such a barren endeavor. While ghosted in most scenarios - and that's a topic for a whole other blog - the remaining responses included whispers of over-qualification, which was sometimes true, but the inherent, covert translation seemed to be "too expensive" or the more-than-obvious "too old." The generational differences in approaches to life & career between Gen Xers (me) and Millennials (most of the current hiring workforce) are vast. I also had no idea that 50 was perceived as archaic and irrelevant by nearly everyone younger. People my age have at least a couple of decades left to contribute to, create, and grow programs, companies, nonprofits, and more. We bring priceless lived experience, have earned educational accolades, succeeded in multiple careers, raised families, traveled, and gained immense wisdom through both tragedy and euphoria alike. Coming to the realization that none of that matters to most of the generations behind us has been a phase of enlightenment, to say the least.

But that's just one example of what feels like irrelevance extracted from my recent life events. People of all ages and walks of life experience feeling invisible for various reasons every day. Maybe someone mistreats them, undermines them, doesn't value them, ignores them. Maybe they've been passed over again and again for the promotion, scholarship, college/training acceptance, spot on the team, or membership that they know they've earned. Maybe they're quiet & docile, not screaming for attention in whatever scenario and because of that, they've gotten pushed to the back, talked over, missed. Maybe they suffer chronic pain or anxiety and every doctor they tell or helper they seek minimizes their pleas for help and relief. Maybe their parents or significant other or children are so busy arguing, working, socializing, making their way that they forgot to carve out time for them. Maybe they've been praying for something that they desperately need help with, clarity on, or they need a flat-out miracle and nothing has happened in a long while -- invisible. Like cellophane. There, but looked right through.

Life brings all different kinds of pain, but the pain of invisibility -- of being ignored, passed over, or treated as irrelevant -- is something a little different. It doesn't have the same ring to it as a one-time trauma like a death, accident, or major illness. It doesn't smack of a quick, unexpected bang over the head. It's more of a persistent, slow dripping that wears the spirit down. How do you combat being transparent to someone? What dignity is there in jumping up & down to be noticed, appreciated, or let in? It's soul-sucking. Life-draining. Living as glass leaves us fragile, breakable, sometimes shattered.

If any of this rings true for you, if you can relate, I've got some incredible, perspective-shifting news for you. The truths I'm about to share with you will vary in their reception. For some of you, you may feel relieved and loved by them, as I did, seeking something encouraging to hold on to after trying to struggle your way out of your personal cellophane for some time. Others of you may find these particular points familiar, old news, fine, but not profound. And that's okay. But if you seem to fall on the "not profound" side of things, I'd challenge you to try to see them with fresh eyes. Reframed. And appreciate that, sometimes, the simplest, most classic of ideals are the most profound after all.

Our God, the maker of the universe, spoke the world into existence. Realms and atmospheres and life formed and responded to his very voice. He hung the stars, spoke light into being, and created billions of living creatures displaying vast and varied colors, textures, and forms -- from feathers to scales to fur and beyond. He made man from dust and woman from his rib. He set the earth on its axis at just the perfect tilt for perfect conditions and elements needed for everthing alive. And all the while He was creating, working, molding, forming, He was thinking of you. He knew the perfect place and time that He wanted you here -- that the world would need you here. He designed you with tremendous purpose, carefully choosing your features, talents, gifts, family, location, and more.

Scripture tells us in Psalm 139:13-14 that, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." His works are wonderful, and that includes you. You are part of His handiwork, crafted by God in the safest of spaces with great intention, great purpose, and great care. You are known intimately and loved deeply by the maker of the world and Heavens.

Luke 12:7 tells us, "But God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows." And we know that God takes care of even the smallest of creatures; they are not invisible to Him. Nor are you.

Psalm 139:1-5 says, "Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are acquainted with all my paths. Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely." This speaks to the deep, personal, and intimate knowledge God has of every individual, assuring that you are seen and known in everything. He doesn't miss a beat concerning you.

And we see the immeasurable nature of God's love in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We are assured again and again of the vast love and fullness of God that surpasses human knowledge. There is nothing -- NOTHING -- that can separate you from God or make you invisible to Him.

If ever you feel alone, cellophane-like, recall these truths. Amidst so many other scriptures, they remind us that the Star-Breather and Creator of life and light knows the number of hairs we have on our heads and made us just as we should be. You are not -- and have never been -- invisble to Him. He knows your thoughts, your moves, your plans, your pains, and your purpose. He formed you for such a time as this and you are never alone or unseen or unknown. He is ever-present. Ever-helpful. Ever-loving. Ever-aware of you. Regardless of how we may feel at any given time, this is the truth. His truth. Your truth.

You are needed here. Right now. Exactly as you are. Not some improved or upgraded version of you. Not "someday." Today, just as you are. You have been purposed for where you are and what you can bring & do. You can rest assured that God, the very One who made everything, doesn't make mistakes. Doesn't forget His plans. Doesn't lose sight of His purposes. Doesn't break His promises. And definitely doesn't forget or overlook His kids. You, Are. Seen. And. Known.

So while an interviewer, hiring team, doctor, significant other, friend, colleague, or organization may overlook you & what you need or bring to the table, God never does. And He decides what happens here, so just know that He will be sure you're seen when the time, place, and people are right for it to happen. When you're wondering why it's taking a minute to not be overlooked, it's simply because He's moving pieces around to provide just the right places, people, connections, and opportunities for you.

He didn't forget you. He's just rolling out your carpet and setting the table for the highest-quality experience. No cellophane allowed.