I Want to Find
My eyes were hiding beneath my hands. This made me invisible...or so I thought. This new game of hide and seek was so fun. All I had to do was close and cover my eyes and my mom couldn’t see me..or so I thought. Of course my mom could see me, but why spoil the game when she could enjoy giggle after giggle and smile after smile? Her little girl would one day understand that covering her eyes didn’t make her invisible, but not today.
That little girl grew up to have boys of her own. They loved hide and seek. But sometimes they couldn't find their mom. So, resting behind the shadows, she would giggle or make a rustling sounds so their little ears could find her location. When they got close, she would grab them up, they would scream, and the house would erupt in laughter.
When I played hide and seek with my kids, I used sounds to reveal my location. If you’re God, you get to use a star!
In Matthew 2, a few Magi discovered an unusual star in the sky. They learn this star is a sign that a new Jewish king has been born, so they travel to Jerusalem. Surely the town is in celebration of this momentous event! Instead, they are greeted by a jealous King Herod who becomes disturbed at the Magi’s inquiry, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).
“King of the Jews!” The words reverberate offensively in Herod’s mind. “Don’t these men know I am the “King of the Jews?!"
But he cannot take any chances, so he brings in the chief priests and teachers to see if they have any news on the subject. They reveal the location of an expected Christ. Afraid to lose his throne, power and position, he orders the Magi to continue their "hide and seek game”, but orders them to report back to him when they have found the location of this “new king".
But the Magi change the game on King Herod. After they find their treasure, the "King of the Jews”, God speaks to them in a dream, warning them not to report to Herod. So instead of a game of "hide and seek", they are now playing "seek and hide". They found the Christ, but instead of revealing his location, they sneak away. After the Magi leave, God sends Joseph and the family to hide as well. Joseph, Mary and Jesus remain hidden in Egypt, never to be found by King Herod.
Have you ever played hide and seek? If so, I’m sure the consequences were probably not as high as that of the Magi, Joseph, Mary or Jesus. When Herod couldn’t find what he was looking for, he killed every child in Bethlehem under the age of two (this was the time-frame the Magi had given Herod for when they’d noticed the star).
The goal of hide and seek is to find. But, if I’m honest, when God is seeking after me, sometimes I want to hide. I become a scared little girl who doesn’t want to feel ashamed of who I am or what I’ve done. But the deeper part of me wants Him to find me so I can know and be loved by Him.
Sometimes finding Jesus means I have to be willing to die; not a literal death, but die to the proud part of me. The part of me that wants to be perfect on my own. The part of me that doesn’t want to admit there’s anything wrong with me. The part of me that wants to put my hands over my eyes and deceive myself into thinking he doesn’t see my sin. But I know he does because I can feel it. My guilt and shame is there when I cover my eyes.
But guess what? My Father, your Father, is not a God who haunts us with regret. We haunt ourselves while He tries to deliver us. Jesus' goal is always our freedom. Because he says that the person who has been set free is free indeed. Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Have you seen a star of hope in Jesus, but been too afraid to seek after Him? Are you afraid of how you will feel when you find the Father?
I have a sneaky feeling he is sitting in the closet, making little noises and silly sounds waiting for you! If you want to find Jesus, He will make himself approachable. Will you listen and look for Him? I bet that when you get the courage to venture out, he will gently take you into His arms, embrace you, twirl you around, and tickle you until you can’t take it any longer? Jesus wants you to be free more than you want it for yourself.
It’s up to you: will you pursue Jesus like the Magi, or fear him like Herod?
If You Thought This was Sweet, Will You Tweet (share)?
- John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Don’t miss my blog on Freedom: http://goo.gl/PSqjf1
- Jesus wants you to be free more than you want it for yourself. http://goo.gl/PSqjf1
- When I played hide and seek with my kids, I used sounds to reveal my location. If you’re God, you get to use a star! http://goo.gl/PSqjf1
© 2015 by Sharie King. All rights reserved.
