God is not playing hide and seek

Photo by Judah McClard Sophomore Caleb Smith looks down to the ground in dismay. He struggled with God in the silence.

At some point in life, everyone experiences times when God feels distant or silent. You could be praying, reading your Bible, showing up to youth group or just trying to live the “right” way, and yet it feels like nothing is happening. You might even feel like you’re knocking at God’s door, shouting at the top of your lungs, “Hello! Can you hear me?” And then you are met with silence. 

Quiet or silent seasons don’t mean God isn't near or has abandoned you. The Bible tells us time after time that God doesn’t change just because of our circumstances. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV) says, “‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed.’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” 

Even when everything else feels unstable, God’s love is a steady foundation. Later, in Isaiah 58:11, the author writes, “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

God tells us that He is the same no matter if we feel His presence or not. Faith is believing in God’s character, even when our feelings and the life around us make Him seem far away. He is always working, even when we can’t see it, and we are called to trust Him.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Our trials and dry seasons are not wasted, but rather God uses them to shape us, strengthen our faith, teach us patience and reliance on Him. Our trials are opportunities for us to grow and learn more about Him, even when it feels impossible in the moment.

A lyric from the song "Highlands (song of ascent)” by Benjamin William Hastings and Joel Houston says, “‘Cause in the highlands and the heartache you’re neither more nor less inclined… You’re just not that hard to find.” God isn’t playing a game of hide and seek with us. He is still here waiting patiently for us to come to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."