Walking into my office this morning, my attention was drawn to an object perched right outside my door, directly in the light from the streetlamp. As I took a few steps closer I realized that I was looking at a large brown toad who was enjoying the predawn moisture from the sidewalk as he must have been pondering the majestic origins of the universe. Why do I say that? Because the little varmint just sat there motionless as I walked by, turned around and stood six inches from him. He was locked into something, I suppose, and had no time for the towering giant passing by. In all actuality it is likely that he was doing what many creatures do when a much larger creature approaches: he froze. I know that he saw me because even a toad has enough discernment to notice a beast 200 times its own size. Nonetheless, the little amphibian kept his cool, hoping that if he didn’t look at me then, perhaps, I wouldn’t see him. Classic case of hiding from something by employing the technique of covering your own eyes. It reminded me of a distant relative in a garden paradise a long time ago:
“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.” – Genesis 3:8 {ESV}
People spend their lifetime looking for ways to not look at God. One of the reasons that our world is operating at such a frenzied pace that we really don’t wish to get still and silent, lest our minds turn to the uncomfortable possibility that God is alive and has something that He wishes to say to us. Sin in us makes us want to hide from God and this hiding has been hardwired into our spiritual DNA since the mortal collapse in the Garden of Eden. As long as we can be focused on something else, maybe God won’t see us. If we can just cover our eyes, maybe He won’t notice us. Perhaps if we fill our lives with constant motion, He will never lay hold on us. Do you know why human beings think this way? We wrongly presume that if God notices us He will likely mess up our lives. Maybe we think He is mad. Perhaps we assume that He’s a cosmic killjoy and cannot bear the thought of us enjoying this life. Others may be guilt stricken and are simply afraid of Him and what He might do if He finally gets His omnipotent hands on them. Then you have those who have been hurt or disappointed by God due to life’s pain and heartbreak – they have no interest in making eye-contact with the Almighty. We, like Adam and Eve, have mastered the art of avoiding God.
But He is still here.
What I really want to say today is that the God whom humans avoid is the greatest Being in existence. Certainly His nature is complex and can be overwhelming to ponder, yet He is not entirely inscrutable. His desire is that we approach Him like children, not forensic investigators. His eleventh commandment is not,“Thou shalt figure Me out!” No, God has an immeasurable desire to love and bless you and the access to Him and all that He is has been opened up to us in Jesus Christ. Yet, we hide while God pursues us. We fear while God reassures us. We run while God throws up roadblocks to inhibit our wandering. We sit very still, hoping He might leave us to ourselves…while God continues to send His message of redemption our way. There is no need to be suspicious of your Creator because He made you to enjoy oneness with Him forever. He does, indeed, have a plan and it is impossibly good once you receive it. The reason God does not “make sense” for some people is because they continue to try to cram Him into the belief of what He’s supposed to be, what He’s supposed to do. God has never been molded by man and you won’t be the first person to whom He will acquiesce. But when the moment of broken trust occurs in the human heart and a man or woman emerges from hiding…understanding and relief soon follow. Don’t avoid eye contact with Him any longer because you are missing the countenance of comfort and compassion. Don’t hope that He will pass by again because, if He were to do so forever, all hope would be lost. You are the pinnacle of His creation by virtue of being human. You are one of the highest objects of His redemption if you will hear Him. He has made you for Himself and, herein, is the joy of being.
Don’t sit motionless any longer. Call on Him today. Look to Him in trust and refuse the inner impulse to hide yourself. Don’t give in to the folly off foolish toads – you were made for so much more.