Playing Hide-and-Seek With God
My blog today is a follow-up or Part 2 to yesterday’s blog about the risen Jesus walking through locked doors where His disciples were huddled in fear. He spoke “Peace be with you”. Those are exactly the words they needed to hear!
We don’t have to play hide-and-seek with God. You know when we look and look to find the “hidden” player and they have such a good hiding place that we finally have to give up and say: “Come out. Come out – wherever you are!” Good news. God isn’t hidden! He is always out!
I have known many times when I waited on a personal diagnosis, a loved one’s diagnosis and even my “sickly” car’s diagnosis from the mechanic. It’s during those times in endeavoring to hide my fears and concerns that I cried out to Jesus “Come out. Come out – wherever you are!”
Psalm 139:7-12 says: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.”
No matter where we are – behind closed doors like the disciples or the middle of an auto service department or a doctor’s office — God’s Spirit is with us. There are two constants in my life. One is Me (I can’t get away from me — I’m always with me) and Father God. I am never alone. I acknowledge the real fact that I will never be without God and His presence.
At this occasion when Jesus entered the disciples’ locked room, “doubting” Thomas was there. Not until “doubting” Thomas saw the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and put his finger in His side did he believe Jesus was alive. (John 20:24-29). Then, he said “My Lord and my God.”
I say those words often when God steps into the surprises and concerns in my life: “My Lord and my God!” He is here with me as I type this blog today. He is here with me when I hear disturbing news or get a negative diagnosis about my physical body, or a friend or loved one’s body or situation. Momentarily, I might tear up and panic mode might temporarily set in. But very quickly, I get a grip and I’m reminded of Thomas and His words: “my Lord and my God” is right here with me. I sense His presence.
God always shows up when I sense His nudges as I share about Him with you. I sense Him when I open my eyes and heart to Him as I meditate on Him. I’m reminded that “When you seek Me, you will find Me.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Maybe you feel all alone and desperate today. Trust me. You aren’t alone. God isn’t playing “Hide and Go Seek” with you. God is there with you. He’s standing at your heart’s door and knocking — desiring to team up with you today. He desires to be the CONSTANT in your life. He is simply waiting for the invitation to come in. Go ahead. Acknowledge Him. Welcome Him. He is your Friend and Savior – a very PRESENT help in times of need. He’ll always accept the invitation.