Hide and Seek
In my retirement, I’m blessed with the opportunity to care for my grandchildren part of each week. One of our favorite games is Hide and Seek. My little man is quite adept at this activity–both the hiding and the seeking.
Hide
There are other ways we hide besides in a game of Hide and Seek. Have you ever hidden from something or a person you didn’t want to face? Or perhaps you’ve avoided someone you knew was going to ask you to do a job. Maybe like me, you’ve done something you hope no one noticed–especially God–and you tried to hide from your shame.
Do you remember the saying, “You can run but you can’t hide?” A Google search attributes these words to American boxer, Joe Lewis, prior to his fight with Billy Conn in 1941. The meaning refers to our inability to escape the truth, that no matter how we run or try to avoid consequences, the truth of our actions will be found out.
Perhaps the most futile attempt at hiding is when we do something that we know disappoints our loving Father. Do we voice a negative comment about someone or share unkind gossip? We may make a promise to a friend or loved one, then break it. Or do we act in a way that causes deep emotional pain or physical harm another?
Seek
There is good news–when we mess up we can seek God’s forgiveness.
There’s even better news, I think. God seeks us when we try to hide from Him. We begin to feel that deep yearning to get right with our Lord. He sends the Holy Spirit with gentle (or strong reminders) to confront us. With this guidance, we can recognize and confess our sin, repent (turn away) from our sin, and seek to renew our relationship with our Lord.
The joy of seeking and finding our Lord
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
Our Father wants what is best for us. And when we seek Him and find Him, He blesses us beyond measure.
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. (Psalm 63:1-3)
He has a plan for us–He loves us–He showers us with blessings. To receive, we only need to seek Him.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
My grandson shouts with joy and laughter when he seeks and finds me or when I seek and find him.
I love the thought that our Father laughs with joy when we seek Him, because when we do, we find Him.
Are you hiding from God or seeking Him? I pray His blessings on you as you seek Him with all your heart.
Love this Katherine. God can show us so much through children.
Yes, I agree, Jen. We’ve an awesome God who provides lessons from many sources. Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a blessed week.
Hide and seek with young ones is SO fun! I am thankful that God seeks us when we are not close to Him.
I feel the same way, Priscilla. Our loving Father sought me when I was lost and I’m forever grateful. Wishing you joy and blessings.
What great lessons children teach! Thank you for the story and application.
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Diana. My children and grandchildren have taught me so many lessons. I’m blessed!
Katherine thank you. It comforted my heart. I miss those days when I played hide and go seek with my grandson.
Krystal, our sweet grandchildren, gifts from God, grow up so fast. But they share so much love and joy. We are so blessed, aren’t we?
I love how we can never hide from God. He is with us always. He loves us and never leaves us. We can try to hide from truth, each other, or something else. But, we can never hide from God. 🙂 Great message.
Thank you, Melissa, I loved your response. I’ve been so blessed–when I tried to hide from God, in shame because of my sin, He sought me out. I didn’t deserve His mercy, grace, and love, but He granted forgiveness and pulled me out of the pit. God is love.
I can’t help but think of the Psalm where David says, “How long will you hide.” Sometimes it feels like God is hiding from us doesn’t it? But he does promise that when we seek him, we will find him. He’s so good.