This morning I have been reading Jeremiah 29.  Many of us know this chapter infamously.  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…" –If we don’t know this by heart, we’ve probably heard it from at least 10 different preachers.

While that verse will never weather with time, another line caught my eye as I read right over it. Verse 13.  " You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity."

Have you ever played a game of hide and seek.  I being in my 20’s have not played a serious game in a long time.   You know how serious…those games where they last for a couple hours.  And you are sweating by the end of the game.  Get me on this one….I’m not talking about those pansy games where someone stands against a wall and counts so half hearted that everyone else decides to hide behind  a dandelion.  And when they’re caught they sound more like Eeyore -"Well…I guess I’m always going to get caught"

No no no no no…I’m talking about those games that you scream that countdown so loud that people wet their pants they’re scared you’re going to get them.  Those games where you’re like a ninja peering through the brush waiting to Daniel-son someone! Yeah wax on, wax off that one!  You are Chuck Norris baby!

Ok…so you get my point.  Well now back to the Bible.  In Jeremiah 29:13 God has the same intentions.  He want’s us not to play hide and seek, but to just seek.  He said when we seek Him with our "whole heart" we will find Him.

Then it hit me.  A lot of times playing those games you can win pretty easy…but then other times you can spend a lot of time trying to find someone.  And then get frustrated and ready to quit. But God doesn’t hide from us.  Instead he’s waiting to be found.

We don’t have to get frustrated, because the Lord declared. Anytime the Lord "declares" something it’s a promise.  So the Lord, God, promises that if we seek him…if we go after him screaming with determination that we will find Him - with our whole heart - we will find Him.

So the next time you feel like God is nowhere to be found.  Just look around and seek after him whole heartedly.  He’s there. He’s waiting. To set you free.

Pastor Daniel