I’ve been thinking. Jesus loved to play games. He loved to play the quiet game.
“Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.” John 18:38.
He played this not to annoy or anger, but to teach. He spoke when He was directed to speak and was silent when He was guided to be silent. He played “Hide-and-Seek.” John 19:30, 39.
“So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. John 19:40-42.
He died for my sins and was laid in a Tomb “Hide Him,” the world wanted. Not because he didn’t speak truth, lived truth and was truth. But because it was new. We hate the new. Newness always brings forth change. And even though change is inevitable in life, regardless of spirituality, I personally know how much we hate it.
However, He left a lifestyle that kept a couple still longing to play the game. John 20:1-8.
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.” John 20:1-3.
Just like the disciples I too often talk about playing the game. But also like the disciples when I do play I always find that Jesus wins. In fact, even when I don’t play He wins every time.
“Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”” John 20:15.
The greatest part is He allows us to win too. John 16:33.
“Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).” John 20:16
We are all playing this game of “Hide-and-Seek.” The only difference is we can only win when we find Him. He’s not hard to find either. In fact he makes himself available and has made himself available to be found throughout eternity. He’s in creativity of nature. He can be felt through the rays of the sun. He can be seen by the effects of wind. He can be heard through the sound of thunder. He’s in all of us. We just have to be aware. John 20:17-18.
I’m sorry God. I’m sorry I was seeking wrong people for popularity. The wrong drink for security. The wrong jobs to be provided for. Thank you for your grace. For accepting me where I am and showing me it is not yet who I can be. Thank you for allowing me to have a second chance through a game of Hide-and-Seek. Thank you for making me a winner too. Lord I pray as people seek me, they see you. John 21:22. Thank you for waking me up from my hiding. Now I seek you and only you. For you are the only one that can give me peace through the storms. You are the only one that can bring me joy through every trial and tribulation. For you are the only one that can change my heart and bring forth love that wants nothing in return except for the world to seek you.
