Hide or Seek?

Hide & seek is a thrilling game that children enjoying playing. One child is picked to be the seeker while the others hide from them. To hide, one must find the perfect spot to disappear from the sight of the one counting down. The tension is often thick, anxiety is high, and the constant giggles can give you away. Meanwhile, the seeker is stationed at a known location called the base, a safe area that everyone tries to get back to before getting caught by the one counting down. Some like to be the seeker and some like to hide. And the first one to be found while trying to return to base becomes the next seeker.

Today's blog puts a little different spin on that childhood game. Instead of hide AND seek, let's talk about hide OR seek. When you hide, you don't want anyone to find you. Sometimes it can be fun to hide. But hiding is not always good to do, especially when you need help. Often the easiest thing to do when you are troubled is to pull away from everyone else so you don't have to deal with whatever troubles you. If you are not saved or do not have a genuine relationship with God, you may feel like you need to hide from God, the church, and others. Hiding only allows you to remain secretive about your past. Hiding masks the demons that torment you.

In the Bible, God tells you to acknowledge Him, confess your sins, and be saved. This is the first step to finding inner peace.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." Proverbs 28:13

Acknowledging that Jesus died for your sins and confessing that you are a sinner is not always easy. Yet, salvation, a free gift from God, is actually just that simple. Believe, Confess your sins to Him, and be saved. God is giving salvation to you, but you must reach out to accept it.

If you are hiding from reality, you can find yourself in a very dark and isolated place. So how do you navigate from darkness to find light? I am so glad you asked!

In order to remove yourself from darkness, you must seek out light. The verb "seek" requires action and means you must actively search out or look for something else, sometimes searching so desperately. In your spiritual life, seeking means to desperately long after God's presence and guidance. To long after His heart can be very humbling to you. Sometimes you may feel so lost that seeking Him seems too overwhelming. But praise God that His light will reveal the darks crevices in your life and replace them with His unconditional love. And that's a very good thing. Shedding light on darkness empties your troubled heart and confused mind of thoughts that capture you in a depressing, endless bondage. Caught in bondage leads to worsening depression and often more poor decisions. "But God"....two powerful little words that means God never leaves you and will always makes a way! Say it out loud....But God!!! Hallelujah!

In the Bible, we learn about a young shepherd boy named David. He wrote much of the book of Psalm, a book filled with praises and songs to the Lord. David truly longed after God's own heart. In Acts 13:22, it says that God raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do My will.' Oh, to hear God speak those words to you!

Most of the day and night, David was outside tending to the sheep. During those quiet times, he wrote poems and songs reflecting his desire to follow God. Some songs told of his despair and his deep need to talk to God about it. The whole book of Psalm records songs of praise and how important it is to pray to the Father. In Psalm 63, David sings "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. Thus I will bless You while I live, I will lift up my hands in Your name."

To truly long for something means that you will do whatever you need to do to have it. It is all that you think of and desire! David longed for someone who could bring him peace, wisdom, and freedom. Everyone desires peace, wisdom, and freedom of the spirit, especially during dark times in this dry and thirsty land. Only God can provide true peace, perfect guidance, and spiritual freedom. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." ~Matthew 6:33

Psalm 91 is another of David's very powerful prayer of protection as you seek God. Although I find comfort in reading the entire chapter, verses 1-3 are most comforting. "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Dwelling or abiding in His presence brings peace and refuge. He is our resting place.

Are you thirsty in this dry land? Do you long for peace? Do you seek guidance for a situation? Next time you are tempted to hide, seek Him instead. Hiding only brings darkness while seeking Him brings you peace, joy, and freedom. Stand on His promises to prosper you and bring you success. Desperately seek Him.