When any of my three youngest granddaughters play at our home, their pleas often turn to “Can we play Hide n’ Seek?” With a nod of my head, they are off and running, giggles and whispers following them to their hiding places. After counting to the predetermined number, I start my search. 

Although I know where they are based on their attempts to stay quiet, I start in the farthest room: “Is anyone under the bed? Nope. In the closet? Nope…and on and on I go until all darlings have been found. If they grow impatient, they provide hints with little chirps to speed up the hunt. Shrieks of laughter are the reward as we take turns being the one to count and seek while the rest hide.

One afternoon after five-year-old Tilly found me, I scooped her into a hug and said,” You are so good at finding me!” Very candidly, she replied, “Oh, Nanny. You’re easy to find. You have to hide in the BIG places!” I burst out laughing. Yes, indeed. I was never going to squeeze under the bathroom counter or in the much too crowded corner of the closet where I often found her, but man, she was just too smart for her own good!

Playing with the girls made me think of a time sister Colleen and I played Hide n’ Seek in our grandparent’s home. Although a bedroom closet was off limits, that is exactly where Grandma found us, along with a crushed hat box that now held a damaged pretty hat. Grandma expressed her displeasure. I believe it was the only time Grandma ever scolded us, leaving quite an impression. It saddened us that we had disobeyed and caused Grandma to be angry.

In my recent Revelation study, Revelation 6:15 speaks of hiding, but this time, it’s not a game as everyone hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, begging for the mountains to hide them from the wrath of God.

God’s wrath isn’t something we like to think about, but like disobedient children, when we deny God or refuse to acknowledge His authority, there are consequences. I know my Grandmother loved me, but when we disobeyed, we needed to be corrected. Her discipline wasn’t an act of hate, but rather of love, wanting us to learn lessons and trust her instruction.

Such is the way with God’s wrath. He loves us so much that He wants us to be with Him for all eternity. He’s even provided a way for us to be with Him, but stubborn pride can blind us from seeking His loving relationship. That’s what this section of Revelation is about: People, hiding in fear from God instead of seeking Him where they would find love, wisdom and guidance. They chose a self-induced and unnecessary fear instead of seeking true peace, joy, love, and guidance from God, as they hid among the very rocks that God himself created.

One thing is clear. Just like in this childhood game, we can’t hide and seek at the same time. Hiding is fruitless, but when we seek God, we will find Him because He wants to be found. Deuteronomy 4:29-30 says, “But if you seek God, you’ll be able to find him if you’re serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God.” MSG

If you haven’t found God yet, it’s time to start seeking. Oh, and just a hint: He’ll be in the BIG places, surrounding you with His glory and presence in every aspect of life.