I remember what fun I used to have with the neighborhood children when I was a child. We would all gather outside after dinner and before bed. We would ride bikes, play games, jump in the autumn leaves. One of the favorite things to do was “hide & seek.” When it was our turn to be “it,” we would hide our faces and count to 50 or 100. Then open our eyes and yell “Ready or not, here I come!”
Then “it” would search for those who were hidden, sometimes finding everyone, other times there was that one kid that was never found. He always had the best hiding place. No one ever got him, look though we might. Finally, “it” would give up and declare that kid the winner. It was so much fun to be the one that was never found!
As I read Psalm 86 the other day, verse 5, reminded me of those times of “hide & seek.” “For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, rich in faithful love to all who call on You.” [HCSB]
That verse reminded me that our God is never the one looking to remain hidden. When we yell, “ready or not, here I come,” our God yells back, “I am ready, here I AM!”
Then he opens His loving arms wide as we race to Him. So often the choices I make in life in my attitudes, words, and actions, drive me to seek my God for healing and forgiveness. And He is always ready and waiting in those green pastures to forgive.
What a wonderful promise to rest in today. That even in our failures, our God is ready to welcome us into His loving arms. Ready to provide the forgiveness and healing we need. Ready to love us and remind us we are His children.
“Ready or not, here I come …!”