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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hide and Seek (08/07/08)
“To seek is to find; but how do I find something that I have no idea where to start looking?”

I had been asking myself that now for quite some time. The Lord just never seemed to be in the places that I was looking. I guess I kind of expected Him to be under a rock, or hidden in my bedroom closet like that favorite toy every child seems to lose. I didn’t really understand how all of my friends and family just seemed to be so “in tune” with God. They just all seemed to know exactly where to find Him.

One day I actually followed my pastor home from church to see if maybe he would see Him-- which in turn would allow me to find him--but once again I just seemed to be out of the loop and missed Him. All I found on that occasion was a confused pastor who wondered why I had traveled 15 miles out of my way after church.

“Roger, I saw that you had come my way last Sunday.”

“Oh...yeah....I...uh...just decided to take a joy ride and...uh...enjoy the scenery.” (that was the best excuse I could come up with).

“Oh well that is a nice ride. It is always a great ride home for me. I get to spend a lot of time with God during that time, and I actually get his opinion on my sermons during that trip.”

I was completely baffled! I took that same trip and followed him the entire way to his house. I almost even followed him into his drive way, and I didn’t even catch a glimpse of anything resembling what God would look like.

I just did not understand how I continually seemed to keep missing God everywhere I went. That was until I was through playing this “Hide and Seek” game. One cool evening in July I finally had enough, but for some reason I knew exactly what was going to happen. I had had several other nights just like that, but this specific time I finally picked up on the message that was being communicated to me.

I was lying next to the pond out beside my house when it happened. I was not the nice guy that I always tend to be. I was for some reason really angry that night, but that was soon to turn into a humble cry.

“God, where are you at!? Why can’t I seem to find where you are? Why won’t you speak to me? Answer me. I said ANSWER ME!!”

But there was nothing. It was silent. All I heard was the wind blowing gently in the trees and the crisp, quiet cheerping of the crickets among them; and then it hit me. It hit me like a cinder block making contact with the ground after dropping off a 10 story building. It was God. I had realized that He had been there the whole time. Every time I had taken a stroll outside, or looked at a smiling kid’s face. God had been in everything. It was only until I had been silent and listened with my heart that I heard His voice. He told me through His creation that He had always been there.

The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. That is what I was told. The trees and the crickets, the children and my pastor were all doing what they were created to do–just simply praising Him.

Now I can say that I am just like the trees because I finally understand. I don’t have to keep looking. I finally found my God.
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This article has been read 905 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Catrina Bradley
08/14/08
I've felt many times, even now that I'm "old". I still wonder where God is at at times, and have to seek His face all over again. Very Good Job expressing the emotions of this young believer!!!!!
Cat :-)
Joanne Sher 
08/15/08
A wonderful voice. Your imagery is nice too - some great word pictures. I love the message too - very nicely presented.
Deborah Engle 
08/17/08
This is a fine testimony. God is there when we are prepared to seek Him with all our heart, and you have described this perfectly.
Gerald Shuler
08/18/08
You have a good writing style that carries a powerful message. This is a good entry.

One suggestion: count the number of times you used the word "just". In my own writing I tend to use the word "really" too much. It has become a goal of mine to always find some word to replace "really". It really helped.
Lauryn Abbott
08/18/08
Very nice story. I too, have had my times of saying, "God, where are you?", even though I know He is there. Thanks for sharing this great message.
Patrick Whalen
08/19/08
I too enjoyed this testimony and echo the overuse of the word "just." Its a personal pet-peeve, whether spoken or written. Using the word "just" tends to lessen the voice of authority of the one who uses it too often.
Marlene Austin
08/20/08
Great message given, drawn with clear details. Readily speaks to everyone I know... :)
Karen Wilber
08/20/08
I like the voice of this and how you took us along with you as you looked for God (and found him)--especially the part about following the pastor home. LOL.
Joy Faire Stewart
08/20/08
Great job expressing the emotions and jouney the MC took. Wonderful message.
Ellen Dodson
08/20/08
Excellent theme. When I was younger, I remember people would tell me that I must love God with all my heart. I'd stare at one of those pictures of Jesus (that probably looks nothing like Him) and try to feel love. I felt so guilty because I couldn't muster any. I didn't really know who he was. So, many of us can identify with this topic, and it helps the unbeliever to understand God's real presence in our lives. The thing that kind of distracted me a little, however is that the MC is that if the MC is old enough to drive wouldn't also know--in a common knowledge sort of way--that God would not visually appear. I think it's adequate enough just to show his struggle with knowing what it means to know God in the spiritual sense.
Patricia Turner 
08/21/08
Your title is perfect. What nicely written and transparently honest testimony. Please keep writing!
Tiffanie Chezum
08/21/08
Very nice story with great imagery. Very good read, thanks.