Hide-N-Seek

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

Today I had a great moment with my son. He is nearly three years old, and he loves to play games (constantly!), so today we decided to play a bit of Hide-n-Seek a few minutes before his nap time. He always loves to count and have me hide. So, I had such fun as I peeked around corners and watched my little boy search for me. I never hid in hard spots... just behind the bathroom door or behind the couch. Of course the funny thing is that his plan for finding me is always to call my name as loud as possible. Not piercing my ears, but loud enough that everyone in the house could hear. So I would smile as I peek around the door and see my little guy searching for me and calling my name. And every time he called for me, I just had to answer, I couldn't stay silent. Even if I gave a little quiet answer so that it atleast gave him a direction to look in.

When he found me I would jump out and squeal and he would cheer and laugh and we would have a big hug. His shock, and awe, and joy in finding me was too much fun, and I couldn't stop playing.

The funny thing I appreciated was that every time he started a new search, he always looked for me in the last place he found me... and I was never there. I could spy on him and watch him check the same places, hoping I would be in the first place he looked. As I was hiding behind the door in my dark craft room... I smiled as I watched Noah search in the bathroom for me which was the last place he found me... and I had this moment with God. I felt like my eyes were opened a bit. How often do I do that? I search for God in the same places I have found him before. NOW, don't confuse... I DON'T think that God hides from us, but I do think there are times when we seek Him, times when He leads us in new directions, and times when He surprises us. I felt the heart of God sharing that His surprises will not be expected, we may not find a deeper revelation of HIM in the places we had before.

>> Does that mean routines are bad? Absolutely not. Spiritual Disciplines are a MUST, and such discipline as we press in to God is a good, good thing, and He always rewards our faithfulness.

BUT, I think that we can mistake God's unchanging nature to be boring or totally predictable... and I don't think that's the case at all. How many burning bushes (with Moses) have you seen? I've only heard or one story like that. OR, how many times did God part the Red Sea (with Moses), or burn a soaking wet sacrifice (with Elijah) to prove himself? Can God do these things again? Sure. But what if God has a Special surprise just for YOU!?

I am certain that God smiles when we seek Him. I am confident that His heart jumps when He hears His precious children calling His name. And, no, He is not hiding from you. He very well could be right in front of you, but in the midst of things you didn't expect.

SO, call out for him. Seek your Savior, Jesus. He delights in those moments. I bet He will surprise you. Relish those sweet moments when he pops around the corner and we can jump and squeal and cheer. Those are great moments!

Love Tiffany