Hide ..... and Seek Him

Psalm 91:4 NCV He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you can hide.  His truth will be your shield and protection.

My teenage son has always been a great "hider."  When he was 20 months old, we moved into a 1 1/2 story house.  I remember one morning, right after getting settled in our new home, we were unloading the car from a shopping trip.  We both walked inside, I walked back out the front door to gather more bags and he locked the door behind me.  My keys were in the kitchen.  For a brief period of time, while I panicked on my front porch, he pressed his face up against the glass, squealed in delight and ran away fast.  I had no other house key, no garage door opener, and no way to reach him.  I had horrific images of him falling down the stairs, turning on the oven or climbing to a high unreachable space.  After what seemed like an eternity, he came back to the window, exhausted and crying.  One small step at a time, I taught him how to unlock the door.  Hiding left him exhausted.

12 years later, he is still very good at hiding.  For the past couple of months, I've been looking for his cross country pictures.  After searching his room high and low, I sent a message to his coach, only to learn my teenager had those pictures hidden away in his bedroom all along.  He knew that once I found them, I would distribute them to ALL. OUR. RELATIVES.  THIS is a teenager's worst nightmare.  Searching for the hidden pictures exhausted me.

There are so many times, in my own life, when hiding seemed like the only option or the best option for me.  Through the years, as I faced the crippling effects of anxiety, I even hid from God.  Despite my greatest attempts, I couldn't cast all my anxiety on Him.  I lived in a shameful state.  The effects of hiding disrupted all aspects of my life.

I remember playing the game "Hide and Seek" when I was young.  I struggled with every part of both hiding and seeking.  I wasn't in great shape as an elementary student, and I couldn't hide fast.  I also never found a good place to hide.  I couldn't get to the best places quick enough.  If, by chance, I found a decent spot, my heavy breathing from 2 seconds of exercise led people to my hiding place immediately.  It's not hard to follow the sound of a freight train!!  I didn't like being the "seeker," either.  There is just something wrong with a game that causes one to run around aimlessly looking for people that he/she may never find! I truly believe we experience this same level of anxiety and frustration when we hide our true selves from God.  We become exhausted, hopeless and breathless.  Thank you, Jesus that because of God's grace and mercy, we don't ever have to hide...alone. As Psalm 91:4 declares we can hide under his wings.  His truth will shield and protect us.  Today, what circumstances in your life have you running away from God?  Are you looking for a place to hide?  Prepare, by clinging tightly to His word.  Pause and find a sacred space.  Remember, you are not alone.  Hide, and seek Him.