When my boys were little they loved playing hide and seek. Having my eyes tightly closed, I would count very slowly – one, two, three…
Sounds of little feet running up the stairs. Doors opening. Doors closing. Giggles along the way.
By the time I got to “ten” the house was quiet and still. Not a sound to be heard.
“Ready or not, here I come!”
It didn’t take long for me to find my little treasures but I would always stretch out the process, knowing the anticipation was a big part of their excitement and childish fun.
Little fingers unknowingly exposed from under the bed covers. Tiny toes peaking out from under the drapes. A rustle here – a shuffle there. Only then would the quiet tension return.
Squeals of delight would explode in the air as I reached out with a playful grab and shouted, “I see you!”
Oh, those were some special times! Now that my boys are grown, I don’t have little ones around my house to play hide and seek with anymore. Although, I do feel like I play that familiar game more than I should. Not with my two boys but with God.
Sometimes the daily demands, disappointments, and trials of this crazy world can cloud my vision, making it difficult to see God in the midst of my circumstances. I can become so fixed on the problems that my focus on God becomes blurry and faded.
God, where are you?
God, don’t you see what I’m going through?
God, are you hiding from me?
Have you ever struggled with doubt, asking these same questions and wondered if God was hiding from you? You might be surprised that King David and the prophet Isaiah struggled too.
In Psalm 13:1, David questioned God by asking, How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
In Isaiah 45:15, the prophet made this statement: Certainly, you are a God who has hidden himself.
Although questions of doubt cross my mind, if I press into the truth that’s been engraved on my heart, it will override my uncertainty and help me to see God working in the midst of my tough circumstances.
Here is some of the truth I’ve discovered in God’s Word.
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1. We can always find God when we seek Him with all of our heart and soul.
But if you seek the Lord your God, you will find him, if, indeed, you seek him with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 (NET)
2. Our circumstances don’t determine God’s love for us but our love for God determines our measure of diligence to find Him.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17 (ESV)
3. When we call out to God He will always answer us.
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
If you’re feeling as though God is playing hide and seek with you or maybe that you’ve somehow slipped off of His “radar”, I can assure you that is not the case.
God’s thoughts of you outnumber the grains of sand in this world (Psalms 139:17-18). Been to a beach lately? That’s a LOT of sand! You are always on His mind.
Still wondering if God sees and cares about the little details of your life? Friend, you are never out of His sight nor out of His reach. He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and is always with you, no matter what happens (Deuteronomy 31:6).
When difficulties come and your focus begins to fade, trust that Jesus is right beside you with His arms open wide. Allow God to whisper this truth to your heart.
I see you. I love you. You are mine.
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Photo Credit: -Reji via Compfight cc
Jill Beran says
Leah, I love this line – “Our circumstances don’t determine God’s love for us but our love for God determines our measure of diligence to find Him.” The crazy thing is God just spoke to me through “Hide and Seek” as well! I too just shared the story at Titus24U and on my blog. (http://titus24u.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-lesson-from-hide-and-seek.html) As a mom who’s kids still enjoy the game, I don’t find myself missing the memories like you but God had a lesson for me as well! Love the way He works and obviously I needed another reminder to seek Him since He brought me to your words!! Blessings to you Leah and thank you for these words!!
leah says
Jill, I just read your post and enjoyed how God used the game of hide and seek to speak such rich biblical truths to you. He is so good to us! I’m forever amazed of God’s goodness and faithfulness to His children. Joy also wrote a post about hide and seek. I saw her comments on your blog too. 🙂
Joy says
Leah, I loved this! Yes, Jesus is the best finder! 🙂 Too often we just hide too well. It’s being found that keeps us in the game.
Luke 19:10 reminds us that Christ came to SEEK and to save the lost. Hebrews 4:13 says that nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
I wrote a post about the “Hide and Seek” game, but took a difficult direction in my writing. If you’d like to read it, it’s here: http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.ca/2009/04/olly-olly-oxen-free.html
Thankful for my God who sees me, and sees to me, looking after every detail of my life.
Blessings and love,
Joy
PS. As I read about you playing with your boys, I could hear my own son’s giggles. Thanks for the memories.
leah says
Joy, I just finished reading your post about hiding beneath the baggage. It is a wonderful piece of writing. I love the way God gave us each a unique spiritual insight on this same topic. Hebrews 4:13 is one of my all-time favorites which I memorized years ago. Yes, Jesus is the Great Finder. I’m so grateful that He continues to seek and save the lost.
It’s great hearing from you and I hope all is well in Canada.
Showers of blessings and many hugs ~
Leah