Devotions with Pastor Michael De Haan

A few years back, I taught my kids how to play hide-and-seek. Have you ever tried to teach a kid that game? It can be a joy, but also a challenge. We would play indoors, and in our house, there were very few places I could hide well. One time I “tucked” myself in bed, under the covers. Another time I hid behind some coats that hung on a hook. Both times it took my kids several minutes to find me. They searched but eventually got distracted and either gave up, or found mom to help. Now, I can’t find a decent hiding place anymore. All the good ones have been discovered.

Another challenge when teaching a kid to play hide-and-seek is that sometimes they can’t seem to grasp the fact that silence helps them remain undetected. Often when I finished counting, I would walk into a room only to find them giggling in a corner or under the bed. Sometimes they would burst out from behind the door and shout, “Here I am!” Today they’re much better at hiding, but it took some time and practice.

The great thing about God is He loves to be found. God doesn’t play games that make it difficult for us to find. He doesn’t pride himself on hiding well. Rather, when we’re searching for God, He is easily found. We’re told, “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

God loves to be found. Like a little child who can’t wait for their parent to find them, God loves to burst out and say, “Here I AM!”
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Pastor Michael