I have always been quite good at the game hide-and-seek. Honestly, if it was an Olympic sport, I am sure that I would have represented the U.S.A. for several Games by now. Hiding in dark cramped places was a thrill. I could quiet my breathing and wait it out for what seemed to be hours if I had too. I enjoyed displaying my hiding prowess at family functions and church youth group activities. Some of my all-time favorite secret spots were in a rolled up carpet, crouched in a high atrium window behind a curtain, and when playing in our barn, I climbed onto a beam up over a feed storage bin and blended into the cobwebs. I knew if I could outlast the seekers, I would be crowned champion once again. Yes, I was committed to my craft.
So it isn’t very hard to imagine heaven to be a place where I believe we will all have some great recreational pursuits along with working side by side with fellow believers – all to the glory of our Savior, Jesus. Of course, at the top of my list will be hide-and-seek. It makes me giddy to think about matching wits with some of the most famous faithful in history. Now if you think that is a unique take on the game of hide-and-seek, please continue reading…
Let me be real open. People can be annoying. You and I have good days and bad days. Some people practice more patience and grace toward others. Before you run and go live off the grid somewhere to avoid people, Jesus reminds us that we are to be SALT and LIGHT in the world. He wants us to live out the gospel right where we are or where He takes us.
The goal for me is to be as Christ-like as I can be with each and every response and encounter I have with others. But that doesn’t change the fact that people can still be very annoying. Question: Is it possible that this annoying person is a brother or sister in Christ – A Believer? yes, Yes, YES!
If they believe with their whole heart that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God and He died for their sins, then yes, they are a saved child of God. But, that doesn’t change the fact that they can still be annoying.
Jesus lived a perfect (no sin) life on this earth and left us with His examples in the Scriptures. There were times that Jesus would be annoyed with his disciples and tell them things such as, “You of little faith” or even to Peter he said, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me…” Whoa, Jesus was very annoyed or irritated. What did He sometimes then do? Well, there were times when He hid! He disappeared; I think to connect with His Father through prayer. He was all about doing the Father’s will. He knew when to hide: John 8:59 and John 12:36 –Look them up!
Some people thrive on solving the cause of the irritant right away; others like me will just step back and make a mental note to see if the individual has a reoccurring theme to their personal communication style and it just rubs me wrong.
So getting back to my example of a Heavenly game of hide-and-seek…
If I die before you and then you pass into glory but can’t find me….Well, let’s just say I’m a champion hider!!!!! ☺. Now, if you go first and I can’t find you then…..oh…..wait a minute, that means….. ☺.
Ok, if you must know where I’ll be “hiding”, you should look for me at the middle-east gate. I will be one of many on my knees in awe of Jesus my Lord.
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