Be FOUND!
One of my fondest memories of my children when they were small is the memory of us playing hide and seek in the house. We lived in a two story colonial style house that had some amazing hiding spots. Being the mom, who had already birthed 3 babies, I had the ability to contort my body and fit in the smallest corners of the house. It was difficult for everyone else to find me.
My husband on the other hand was pretty easy to find. He always had the youngest with him, (*obviously we didn’t let our 2 year old wander in the dark, alone)! After searching for awhile, if I could not find them, all I would have to do is say out loud, “come out, come out, wherever you are ….I have candy!”
Instantly, I would hear a small, wee voice, “Here I am!” The toddler always ratted the rest of the clan out.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found.” -Isaiah 55:6
The Lord has often taken me back to that visual, of a mother and father playing hide and seek with their children. Unfortunately, God’s children are still playing hide and seek with the Heavenly Father.
When the boss calls us into the office to tell us we have been laid off – we hide our face and ask, “Where are You, God?”
When the doctor calls and gives the report that we were not expecting – we hide our face and ask, “Where are You, God?”
When our spouse comes home and declares that they do not love us anymore – we hide our face and ask, “Where are You, God?”
Life is simply not fair sometimes. But like in any game, life also has some rules. The rules are: no matter what the circumstances, God can always be found! He hasn’t left you. He hasn’t abandoned you. He hasn’t forgotten you. The Lord wants you to be found!
The Bible recounts a story of a game of hide and seek, a pursuit of being found:
“The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “follow Me”. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”. Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” (Read John 1:43-51)
Do you see here how Jesus knew Nathanael? He knew his heart, He knew his goodness, his integrity and his faith. He even knew that Nathanael had doubted Him when Philip first told him about Jesus, Jesus saw Nathanael even before he approached Him.
Because of this, Nathanael was in complete awe. He was not only touched deeply by Jesus, but he was found! No matter what you may be going thru, my friend, know that God sees you! He sees your joy, your sorrow, your pain and your convictions. There is no need to hide your face any longer, lift your eyes and heart to Him and find His loving embrace.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for Your grace, Your love, and Your forgiveness. I want every thought, every doubt, every act, every word spoken to be found in You. Today, I commit my life to You and will keep my eyes open and focused on You, with Your help. AMEN.
Amen, amen
Thank you for the reminder that no matter what is going on in our life, God is there with us.