I’ve noticed there are times when I still hide if I can just be honest.

 

Times when I choose safety over courage. Fear over faith.

 

Somehow I think He won’t notice it, but He always does.

 

He might let me sit voiceless for a bit, but sooner or later He is gonna come for me.

 

Hiding isn’t holy.

 

Sometimes we can hide on a team. We tuck ourselves into a safe little pocket and try not to make any waves.

 

But Jesus kinda likes to make waves…

 

Oh, He knows me.

And I know me.

And I know Him.

 

Soon I hear that deafening whisper, “Shelly, what are you doing here?”

 

Comfort isn’t my calling.

 

Silence is not really an option unless instructed by Holy Spirit.

 

It’s tempting to hide.

It’s safe maybe.

From some things but not all things.

 

Jesus is safer…

 

And His gentle rebukes come because He knows when I’ve even used religious cover-ups to defend my hiding.

 

Sigh…

 

I’m not gonna lie.

Sometimes it’s just nice to hide.

Hide from the pressure of people.

Hide from the possibility of not being enough.

Hide from all the onlookers.

 

He knows fully the feeling.

 

He watches me turn my car when I see a possible confrontation I’d rather not have. A moment when my past is on my heels and I just don’t wanna do it, today.

 

So I hide…again.

 

Maybe this sounds familiar to some of you, too.

 

Listen, God desires you to be all He designed you to be.

 

We aren’t meant to hide the light under a bushel, bury the talents, or hide out in some cave while the world goes to Hell in a handbasket.

 

But He does understand the “why” involved in your need to hide.

 

He saw when Jezebel came for you and you were too tired to fight the warfare.

 

He saw when the Sauls kept trolling your places and spaces to declare you an unfit minister.

 

He saw the painful pricks that faces can still bring, so you avoid certain places still to avoid the memories.

 

He gets it, fully.

 

But you and I can’t hide and fulfill that which God made us for. Too many are counting on your voice and your face.

 

They need you to be strong and courageous, so they can soon live again, breathe again, and heal again.

 

So what do ya say, friend?

 

Lets both grab the hand of Jesus and bravely come out of hiding…

 

He is the only place we are allowed to hide.

 

Psalm 91:4

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

 

Psalm 32:7

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah