Peek-a-boo

Sometimes we hear people talk about becoming a Christian as ‘finding Jesus’. It’s as if Jesus is lost and we, cleverly, track him down in some cosmic game of hide-and-seek. Where’s Jesus? There he is!

It’s true that the Bible contains a lot of passages promising that when we look for God, we’ll find him. But the important thing to remember is that God, by giving Jesus to the world, has already done the hard work in coming looking for us. God did what we couldn’t do; with the gift of Jesus, God made a way for lost people to be found and rescued.

When you think about it, our finding Jesus has more in common with an infant’s game of peek-a-boo than hide-and-seek. In peek-a-boo, the adult is just a breath away from the child, and one or other peeks through their fingers, or pops around a piece of furniture so that the child squeals with delight. Peek-a-boo, I see you! There isn’t much finding to be done in peek-a-boo; it’s really all about celebrating that someone we love is already close by.

And so it is with us and God. You see, God has already lessened the distance between him and us—the distance that was once vast and uncrossable because of our sin—so that we really do only have to open our eyes and our hearts to see that Jesus is here with us.

An unbroken relationship with God

Rather than saying that we ‘find Jesus’, it might be more accurate to say that what we find is the importance of Jesus. We realise that unless we trust in what Jesus has done to remove the sin that comes between us and God, we are lost. We realise that with all that this world has on offer, it cannot supply the one thing that we need most of all: an unbroken relationship with the God who made us and loves us.

Writer Robert Fulghum says there is a grown-up version of hide-and-seek: ‘Wanting to hide. Needing to be sought. Confused about being found.’

Maybe that’s how things are between you and God? Perhaps you know you need to let Jesus find you. You know you need the love, forgiveness and closeness of God. You want God’s peace and guidance in your life. But you’re holding back, perhaps unsure of what it will really mean to trust Jesus with your life. Will your friends or family think you’re weak or even odd? Will your popularity or success come under threat? Will Jesus ask too much of you?

Don’t hold back. Receive the gift of Jesus into your life. This is the single most important and influential decision you’ll ever make. It isn’t only about dealing with your sin and guilt—Jesus will help you live a life that pleases God and is of the greatest use to others.

Turn to Him

You don’t have to go hunting for Jesus. He is near and is simply waiting for you to turn to him, to trust him with your life, and then to travel with him, putting him first from now on.

If you realise the importance of Jesus for your life, perhaps you’d like to pray this prayer? The words you say aren’t as important as the desire of your heart.

Jesus, I believe in you and I trust you. Thank you for loving me and seeking me out. Thank you for paying the penalty for my sins by dying for me on the cross. I am sorry for going my own way in the past and ignoring you. Forgive me for that, and for all the wrong things I’ve done. I trust you, and today I make you the leader of my life.

If you prayed that prayer (or something similar), tell someone about it. Someone at your nearest Salvation Army, for instance. They’ll want to celebrate with you, and can also help you walk with Jesus every day.

By Christina Tyson