Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are
I sent that message to my best friend yesterday. She has a busy life and so do I, but we do our best to stay connected. I forgot they were away in a remote location without cell, so no wonder I was saying "Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Those words are actually from one of my earliest memories, playing “Hide and Seek”. Now, my fondest memories are playing it with children and grandchildren.

My memory of playing the game was the nervousness that would build as the “it” person started counting. I’d run looking for the spot that would conceal me perfectly. Sometimes I’d peek around the corner to see if the “it” person was anywhere near and, oh, that feeling when the “it” person was only a few feet away. My heart would beat faster. Every-so-often I’d get fortunate. They’d keep going, and I’d breathe a quiet sigh of relief. As I stood or crouched there, I would listen for the words I longed to hear -- the words I knew meant the game was over. “Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!” When I heard that phrase I knew my hiding place had been successful!

Our Hide and Seek games don't always stay in our childhood or always stay so fun and innocent. I remember David and how often he was hiding from his enemies. When he wrote Psalm 31, things weren't going well for him. He was tired, weak, and hurting. His enemies were chasing him, and his friends had let him down. His life was at risk but he was not defenseless. He knew that God was the best source of safety and that a right relationship with Him was the wisest defense strategy. That’s where he found his security. Just as a small child finds hope in calling out for his older brother when threatened by a bully, David called on the name of the Lord. Because he was living in fellowship with Him, he hid in the security of the One who had helped him so many times before.

I remember the one thing that could ruin a good game of Hide and Seek. It was the cheater who peeked while they counted. They always knew where everyone was hiding and was quick to find them. Well, that’s the enemy of our souls who cheats and wants to destroy us. It is the cheater who makes us go into hiding when things don't go our way and life gets difficult But where we hide can make all the difference. Often, we hide by becoming reclusive – staying away from fellowship and friendship with others. We may hide in regret for mistakes we’ve made. But today, it's time to stop playing those games and "Come out. Come out. Wherever you are."

The cheater-enemy has been caught so we don’t have to stay in hiding places any longer. The Psalmist said, “You are my hiding place." (Psalm 32:7) "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High (Psalm 91:1) -- NOT he who dwells in the closet of negativity and doubt, but in the shelter of the Most High where we abide under the shelter of the Almighty and we find our strength and hope in Him. David knew where his hiding place was. Are we as quick to seek that same security? God was a sure hiding place for David, and He is also the One we hide in and cling to for our protection. Safety is not found in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.

Playing Hide-and-Seek With God

We don’t have to play hide-and-seek with God. You know when we look and look to find the “hidden” player and they have such a good hiding place that we finally have to give up and say: “Come out. Come out wherever you are!” Good news. God isn’t hidden! He is always out!

Yesterday, my blog focused on the fear-filled disciples, who huddled all together in panic mode behind closed doors after the death of Christ. They heard He had risen but it was hearsay as far as they were concerned. THEN, Jesus showed up. He came out from hiding. His presence filled the room.

Yesterday afternoon, while waiting for the diagnosis of an “engine light” on my car, I read this scripture. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

No matter where we are – behind closed doors or in the middle of an auto service department or a doctor’s office waiting for the diagnosis of an auto repair or a physical body repair -- God’s Spirit is with us. There are two constants in my life. One is Me (I can't get away from me -- I'm always with me) and Father God. I am so blessed to know I am never alone. I acknowledge the real fact that I will never be without Him and His presence.

Not until "doubting" Thomas saw the nail prints in Jesus' hands and put his finger in His side did he believe Jesus was alive. (John 20:24-29). Then, he said “My Lord and my God.” I say those words today from this auto repair shop: “My Lord and my God!” He is here with me as I type this post. He is here with me when the service rep tells me “It’s your catalytic converter and it will cost $1,800 and there are other issues." Grand Total: $3,250. I momentarily tear up. Then I re-read this blog I'm writing. I'm reminded...."my Lord and my God" is right here with me. I sense His presence.

Panic mode just about sets in, but I remember Him and I sense "Get a second opinion." I get one from a reputable and highly recommended automotive repair shop and their pricing is far less than the dealership. God showed up. I sense His nudges as I share about Him with you. I sense Him when I open my eyes and heart to Him as I meditate on Him. "When you seek me, you will find Me." Jeremiah 29:13

Maybe you feel all alone and desperate today. Trust me. You aren’t alone. God is there with you. He's standing at your heart’s door and knocking -- desiring to team up with you today. He desires to be the CONSTANT in your life. He is simply waiting for the invitation to come in. Go ahead. Acknowledge Him. Welcome Him. He is your Friend and Savior – a very PRESENT help in times of need. He'll always accept the invitation.

Where Can I Go From Your Presence?

Constants: a situation or state of affairs that do not change; remaining the same in all circumstances

I am on the go and where I stop, nobody knows, including me sometimes. How many times have I awakened in the night and run into a wall that I thought was a doorway, or opened a closet door and thought it was the bathroom door? Too many to count!

Thanks be to God that though my surroundings are often in a state of flux, my best friend, companion and guide – isn’t. My
Father is ALWAYS with me. Everywhere I go – He is there.

Psalm 139:7-10 says "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."

The little boy in this photo is playing a game of hide and seek. He thinks he's hidden. And isn't that like us? We think we can hide from God, and we often think He's hiding from us, but I love how Jeremiah 23:24 proves otherwise. "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord."

After a whirlwind week, I’m back home in Frisco and into my normal routines and familiar surroundings.

I think about the CONSTANTS in my life no matter where I am or where I go. Me (I can't get away from me -- I'm always with me) and Father God. I think about how blessed I am to acknowledge the real fact that I will never be without Him and His presence. I see Him everywhere -- in the magnificent beauties of His creation -- the hills, the valleys, the marvelous trees in bloom and the beautiful, fragrant flowers. I see Him in His children -- big and small, tall and thin, old and young. I hear Him in the laughter of others. I sense Him when I open my eyes and heart to Him when I meditate on Him as I start to write my morning FB post. "When you seek me, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:13

I think about a story my husband loved to tell. This was back in the days before bucket seats in cars and you could cozy up to our sweetheart when he drove the car. A wife said, "Sweetheart, why don't we sit close together anymore?" The husband said, "You tell me. You're the one that moved next to the door. I'm still in the same seat I've always been in!" And, I think that's what God must say when we declare "I just don't feel God in my life anymore!" He says, "I'm right here with you as I always have been. I didn't move. Snuggle in closer to Me and you'll find me right here where I've always been."