Sometimes....God Hides...

When we used to play Hide and Seek as children, I always wanted to hide rather than be the one who had to seek. But in my walk with God I have discovered that joy is often to be found not just in the hiding, but in the seeking as well.

There are many times when I can’t openly see God and feel His presence. Sometimes God hides.
Sometimes God hides in our difficulties, all the while gently calling for us to come looking for Him and to seek after Him.
Sometimes He hides in the midst of our suffering and in our wilderness experiences. But even in those times, He is really just waiting for us to rediscover Him in ways that surprise and delight. And I’ve discovered that whenever God does appear, His laughter always heals the broken heart.

Sometimes I catch glimpses of God as I read His word.
In one passage He is revealed openly, while in another I must dig deeper if I want to unearth a fresh revelation of His face.
But all of the time, my seeking and my searching is encapsulated in an awesome wonder and excitement.... though mixed with a little fear as well, because I’m never quite sure just when it is that He will suddenly appear.

But when it is all said and done, while we always seem to think that we are endlessly searching for Him, the truth is, that it is always He that is searching for us.
And even though sometimes it may take a while, He always reveals Himself in the end. And I’ve discovered, that there is tremendous joy in finding Him in unexpected places.