If God Played Hide and Seek

The other day in the car, my two monkeys were chatting in the backseat and started talking about what Heaven must be like. My oldest decided that they would be able to play games with God all day if they wanted. My youngest delightfully announced he would like to play hide and seek with God. Upon further reflection he thought aloud, "But, if we hide, God would always know where we are." After a few moments (during which he put on his thoughtful, pondering six year old face) he concluded, "Well, I guess God will have to be the hider then."

Isn't that just the way it is in our own earthly lives? We try desperately to hide from God at times, sure that He can't see us and wouldn't love us if He could. Desperate to forget our errors, sins and shortcomings we distance ourselves from God, our faithful friends, our church. We pretend that in doing so, He can't see how we've fallen yet again into that trap laid before us. It doesn't work though, does it? He always sees us; he knows our innermost thoughts, ideas and motives. He knows before we fall that it will happen and He's watching at the moment we stumble. There is no cloak of invisibility or any amount of tin foil hats that can keep Him from seeing right into and through us. We are barer than bare before the King.

And yet, there is great irony in our quest to run from God. In the process of doing so, we are distancing ourselves from the only means of forgiveness and redemption. Yes, He knows we've failed. Yes, He is all-knowing and has seen every miserable detail that led to this fumble. But there He remains, steadfast and merciful, with outstretched arms ready to accept our sorrow and apologies and give us His merciful forgiveness and grace. Micah 7:18 says, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."

In his innocent breakdown of games to be played in Heaven, my six year old has reminded me of the very nature of God. He has helped me to remember the all-knowingness of the Father and the mercies He offers. He's refreshed in my mind the way that I should run headlong to God in my sin and ask His forgiveness instead of running full speed away from He who I cannot hide from. Thanks, Noah...you're one smart kiddo!