HIDE AND SEEK
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9 ESV)
I’m ready to be found. I’m tired of this old game. The one where I hide in my shame and despair, feeling cut-out, rejected and abandoned.
But the truth is unbearable. I fell for the lie. Again. I was deceived. I turned my back. I was the one who disregarded Him. I was the one who maligned His character.
And yet! I can hear His tender voice. He is calling for me. Looking for me. My stomach turns over, and my heart begins to pound. He is calling my name.
I’m so ashamed. Lost. Only because I don’t want to be found.
I can hear His footsteps. He’s close. I can hear Him breathing as He moves through the brush. He’s moving the branches, removing the walls of my makeshift prison. He’s coming into my hiding place. Already His light is pouring in.
I can’t look up. I can’t face Him. I won’t.
The silence is deafening.
The silence is deafening.
The silence is ….
In the quiet, I hear His sweet voice. In his whisper, I hear my name. Over and over, my name on His lips. Like a prayer, He calls my name.
Tears. My tears. His tears.
Tears for what has been lost. Tears for what has been found.
This is their story. This is our story.
