Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Hide and Seek? No, it's Seek and Find

By Cassie Glubzinski

My daughters are a riot.

Truly.

My Gemma just turned five, and little Evolet copies her every move (Ev is 2 and a half). The other morning my girls were playing, and I heard Gemma say to Evolet, "Let's play hide and seek. You go hide, and I'll count to ten and then come find you."

Excited about the prospect of playing a 'big girl game' little Evolet scurried off while Gemma stood in the corner of the room and slowly counted to ten. I smiled as I saw my youngest wedge herself beneath our Little Tikes trampoline, and I even giggled a bit upon seeing her stuffed snuggle puppy securely stashed at her side. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, as if she were trying with all her might to become invisible.

Gemma finished counting and declared, "Ready or not here I come!" At which time Evolet announced, "Here I am, Gemma! Come find me! I'm right here!"

I don't think she quite understands the concept of 'Hide and Seek' just yet.

As I sat watching Gemma sweetly explain to Evolet how to play the game quietly, I was struck by a thought: This is exactly what our Lord does. He doesn't play 'Hide and Seek'. With Him, we Seek and Find, because He makes Himself known to us.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 reads, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'" [emphasis mine]

What a beautiful thought. As I sat there watching my girls all I could think of was surrendering with righteous abandonment, that I might be able to seek Him with my whole heart. It almost seems daunting at first, doesn't it? But really take a moment to reflect on this idea of seeking with your whole heart...

As I pondered it more and more I felt lighter, freer, and downright giddy with relief. I don't ever have to feel as if I have wasted a day, an opportunity, or even a moment (How often has that happened?). When we seek God fully He doesn't allow anything to be wasted. Seeking Him with my whole heart, with righteous abandonment, frees me to more naturally follow Christ. Because suddenly nothing else matters but Him, and everything else becomes an act of worship to a holy and awesome God.

So today, I implore you to take a few moments to pray. To seek and find God. He doesn't hide. He shouts loudly to us! He calls us to Himself, and when we seek Him fully we are finally free!