Hide and Seek

"10... 9... 8... 7...      6, 5, 4... 3... 2... 1, READY OR NOT HERE I COME". I'm sure all of us have quoted that line in some form or the other when we played the game "hide and seek". This was my most favorite game as a kid and I was reminded of the same when I saw a few kids play it in my apartment couple of weeks back. A "Home Base" which is generally a landmark like a pillar or post is chosen by the group of players and one of them is made to close their eyes and face the "Home base" while the rest disperse in various directions and conceal themselves. Whoever stays hidden the longest is declared the winner.

As a kid, I used to generally play this game with my brother and our cousins. Me being the youngest used to end up generally on the losing side as the older ones always found better places to hide and I would always end up being tagged. As soon as I finished counting, I generally used to start moving around trying to find one of my siblings. When I couldn't see anyone, I would soon grow impatient and start venturing farther away from the "Home Base". Sooner than later, one of my siblings would eventually sneak up behind me and tag me and I would lose again.



As time went by, I got tired of losing and started to think of ways I could win. I soon realized that my impatience was my cause of losing. If I could just stay closer to the "Home Base", keeping my eyes and ears open and most importantly stay patient till I spotted something, I could win. And as I waited for a movement, I could soon spot somebody moving and then easily tag them. And thus began my winning streak and a very successful career in "Hide and Seek".

Our relationship with God sometimes feels like "Hide and Seek", doesn't it ? We find ourselves in a position of not knowing what to do. No sign is visible and you aren't sure whether God is even speaking or just keeping silent. I've been in situations where I found myself constantly asking God to give me an answer to a situation in my life. Now remember, we cannot expect to hear from God clearly if we first don't have a relationship with Him (read : Radio). But there comes a time in our Christian life where God just keeps silent. I can tell you from experience that these are some of the most testing times.

Lets look at some reasons why God remains silent...

• You might feel that you need this answer but God feels the timing is just not right.
• He wants to see what you will do when you are in that situation. He allows you to make mistakes cause He intends to refine and promote you (Example of Job).

When faced with choices we tend to ask God for direction. When He doesn't give us a clear verdict, we tend to jump the gun and go for the most logical choice. It reminds me of when I used my older strategy while playing "Hide and Seek" i.e. when I used to start exploring the surroundings and leave "Home Base", eventually losing the game.

When we go through this experience, we just need to dig in our heels and stay put. Waiting on the Lord is one of the best things I've ever learnt. When you don't sense His direction, be patient, don't dive into what you think or feel is right. Waiting for His direction in every situation is the best thing we can do. In due time He will show you the next step as you stay closer to Him and follow His commands, i.e. staying put at the "Home Base". Learn to say like Moses... If Your Presence does not go with us, we don't wanna go (Exodus 33:15).

"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the LORD, shall renew their strength; 

They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, 

they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40 : 30, 31).