Psalm 139:7-8

It seems David was familiar with the old adage: You can run, but you can't hide. In spite of the truth of this statement, we all give it our best shot anyway. Adam and Eve tried it first when they heard God's footsteps coming near, attempting to hide behind fig leaves and then among the trees of the garden.

Saul, the very first King of Israel, let his feelings of inadequacy get the best of him and hid among some baggage on his own inauguration day! God had to reveal his whereabouts to Samuel, the prophet, so he could be anointed and crowned king. Jonah attempted to run and hide when God instructed him to go and preach a message of repentance to the people of Ninevah. Wanting these people to get the judgment he believed they deserved, Jonah ran to a ship headed in the opposite direction of where God had told him to go; and, well, you know what happened next. Jonah spent a little time in the belly of a great fish, and he remained there until he repented - three days and three nights later! The next time God said, "Go," Jonah went - in the right direction.

Again and again people attempt to hide from God; and their testimonies are the same: "When it comes to God, You can run, but you can't hide." God knows everything about us - when we sit, lie down, and rise up; whom we're with, where we go; what we do, say, and even think. To imagine that we can hide from Him is absolutely ridiculous; but, time after time, we continue to try. Boy, do we try!

Learning sign language had always been a desire of mine, so the day a class began at our church, I jumped right in, and God began pouring this gift into my life. As a result, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of our church's interpreting team for several years. My husband and I later moved to another church in a different city and attempts to begin a deaf ministry there failed. A little over five years went by with only a few opportunities here and there to interpret for anyone. My gift grew rusty, and some knowledge escaped me. The time for words I heard to be translated in my mind and then interpreted through my hands lengthened. I soon felt inadequate to even try anymore, so the day I heard God calling my name, I gave it the old "run and hide" move.

I was cheerfully greeting people as they entered the church doors for our latest theatrical production until, that is, I saw them coming. The lightning speed of their hands as they communicated with each other was proof that they were excited to be there even though they wouldn't be able to hear a thing. I saw them, and, I'm ashamed to say, I ran - in the opposite direction! I looked everywhere for a boat, some fig leaves, or baggage - anything to hide behind!

I thought I had hidden myself well, but every single person who looked for me found me, exposed by God, I'm sure. I gave each one the same old story of why I couldn't do it and why these deaf people didn't really need it - so much action and lights and other distractions you know. There was just no way it could work! But then a third person found me with a direct request from the deaf that I simply try. I was so ashamed. Here was my opportunity to bless with a language God had anointed me to "speak," and I ran! I finally surrendered, introduced myself to the group, and then ran off again - not to hide myself among the fig leaves or anything but to hide myself in Him.

Our cast of actors was gathered in one area worshipping in preparation for the drama. As I stood and waited for them to pray over me, my mind was literally racing to recall what sign language I had been able to retain these last few years. "What was the sign for confusion and restaurant and holy? How could I ever keep up during a drama? Where was I going to sit so they could see me AND the scene taking place behind me? This was never going to work! Why did God bring those people here?!?! My spirit and mind was a jumbled wreck of questions and uncertainty. It was then that God reached down as only He can.

Somewhere between "how?" and "why?" God made me hear the song the cast was singing. I couldn't believe my ears! It was the very first thing I had ever learned in sign language! It was as if God was taking me back to the beginning to remind me that this gift was from Him! His reassuring voice came through loud and clear: "If I poured it into you then, I can certainly bring it all back to you now. This is My will. Do it, and You will see what I can do."

In spite of my limitations of rusty hands and fragmented memory, surrendered to Him, my hands became powerful instruments speaking life-changing truths that night. Of course, I made plenty of sign language mistakes, but my biggest mistake was trying to run and hide from God! Thankfully, He didn't let me run very far or hide very long. He sought me out, called me AND my gift by name, and reassured me of His power to work through my life. Every single deaf person was blessed that night as they watched the drama unfold before their eyes - on the stage AND in the life of the one through whose hands they "heard" the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Next time you sense His call or hear His footsteps drawing near, don't hide. When you hear Him say, "Go" or "Do" or "Be," take off running - straight for the call. Take it from me - and Adam and Eve and David and Saul and Jonah - and millions of others: "Fig leaves, trees, boats, and baggage are no match for God. When it comes to Him, you can run, but you can't hide."

Prayer for Today : Father, forgive me for attempting to run and hide from You. I belong to You, and all I am is Yours. Here I am. Call me. Send me. Use me. Amen.