What Does A Child’s Game Have To Do With God?

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Ready or not, here I come!

Hide and Seek was a favorite game when I was a child. There were a dozen kids in my neighborhood growing up and we always played outside. It wasn’t really an option for most of us. Every day after school until we were called in for dinner and every Saturday, neighborhood yards were our playground.

I don’t remember my own children playing Hide and Seek. There were not many children living in the neighborhood when they were young. Not exactly conducive to a rousing game of Hide and Seek. Play time was more structured and competed with video games and cartoon channels.

My children may not have played Hide and Seek but I make up for it with my dog. Yep, you heard right. I play hide and seek with my dog. I will slip away from him and hide in the closet or by the bookshelves. Sometimes it’s hard to stifle my giggles as I watch him run past where I’m hiding. He has tricked me a time or two and given up on the hunt, leaving me hiding while he’s on to some other activity. Every once in a while I will give him a little help by coughing or calling his name. Sometimes I let him find me.

God Doesn’t Play Hide and Seek

I thought about my Hide and Seek games a couple of weeks ago when I was reading my Bible. The Bible truly is an amazing book. It’s not that long but you can read it over and over again and discover new messages. I found this gem when I was reading in 2 Chronicles.

All Judah rejoiced concerning the oath, for they had sworn with their whole heart and sought Him earnestly and He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. 2 Chronicles 15:15 (NASB)

There are many passages in scripture that tell us if we seek God we will find Him. We see that promise in Deuteronomy 4:29 , 2 Chronicles 15:2 , Psalm 9:10 , Amos 5:14 and Matthew 6:33 . The 2 Chronicles verse was interesting to me because God said if they sought Him, He would allow Himself to be found.

God doesn’t play Hide and Seek with us. He wants us to seek Him and He promises we will find Him. In this particular verse He says He will allow Himself to be found. He’s not interested in staying hidden from us. He created us to be in relationship with Him so of course He’s not going to stay hidden from us.

Like I often do with my funny little dog, He will allow us to find Him. Think about this the next time you play Hide and Seek with your children, grandchildren or even your dog. God wants us to seek Him and He allows us to find Him.

There’s a popular saying around Christmas time, often on greeting cards; Wise Men Seek Him Still. Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s a good thing to contemplate as we officially enter the Christmas season.