Hide and Seek

Dear Readers,

I have previously written about Simple Pleasures:  Some of my fondest childhood memories include playing games with my siblings, cousins, and friends.  Borrowing a page from  Anne of Green Gables, we played outdoor games for hours:  “Hide & Seek,”  “Tag,”  “Sack Races,”  “Rover, Rover,” etc.

One day, I grew up and became “too old” for such games but I hope to watch my grandchildren play these games.

Like Rachel Lynde, from  Anne of Green Gables, “I am known as a woman who speaks her mind.”

So, brace yourself:

I’ve been dismayed about a phrase that I frequently hear: “God showed up.”  

If you use that phrase, please do not assume I am talking about you, personally.  I have heard this phrase from various sources, for several years.

I have been searching for a response to that phrase and here it is:

“If it is I who determines where God is to be found, then I shall always find a God who corresponds to me in some way, who is obliging, who is connected with my own nature.  

But if God determines where he is to be found, then it will be in a place which is not immediately pleasing to my nature and which is not at all congenial to me.  

This place is the Cross of Christ.  And whoever would find him must go to the foot of the Cross, as the Sermon on the Mount commands.  

This is not according to our nature at all; it is entirely contrary to it.  But this is the message of the Bible, not only in the New, but also in the Old Testament . . . “

~Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Bonhoeffer:  Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, by Eric Metaxas

Dear friends, let us grow up and leave behind childish thinking and speaking, such as “God showed up.”

For, who are we to determine and declare this?

The Holy Trinity is indeed omnipresent!  He searches for us before we ever begin to search for Him.  He found us when we were lost.

Our immortal God is invisible.  Yet, our wise God is unceasingly at work in His creation.  Let us sing this hymn [below] and praise His Name!

Coram Deo,

Margot

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise!

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life thou givest to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish but nought changeth thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.