Kid's Games

by Tim Howard

Back in the day, we didn’t have Nintendo, Wii, PlayStation, Xbox 360 or any other high tech games. Even if they were available, most of us wouldn’t have been able to afford them.  We had games like tag, king of the mountain, ring-around-the-rosy, jump rope, dodge ball, red-rover and tic-tac-toe.  For those who were older and didn’t want to participate, they could always watch the television game shows like Let’s Make a Deal; The Price is Right, I’ve Got a Secret, or Hollywood Squares.  You get the picture!

Everyone has a favorite and mine was Hide and Seek! One player was chosen with the assigned responsibility of being “it”. This person would close their eyes, establish a predetermined number and start counting. After reaching that number the player who was "it" said: "Ready or not, here I come!" and then they tried to locate all players who had hidden themselves from view. Simple but fun!

Adam and Eve played the game of Hide and Seek with God but it wasn’t rooted in a spirit of fun or joy but a spirit of fear and brokenness.

You may remember the historical record that is recorded in Genesis chapter 3. God had given this couple everything they could possibly need. They were in a beautiful garden with full access to everything except one tree. That seems more than fair but for some reason Adam followed Eve’s lead and went contrary to God’s advice. After deciding to set up self-rule and function with a spirit of autonomy, they became aware of their disobedience, sin and self-centeredness. This realization was bad enough but they complicated things even further when they tried to hide their sin.

When God came seeking them He said: “Where are you?” Adam answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” From that time onward, mankind has played the game of hide and seek – in positive ways and in unhealthy ways.

Before you criticize this biblical couple for their usurping of authority, disobedience and stupidity, check out 2 Peter 1:3! We are told that Jesus has given you and me everything we need for living a godly and fruitful life. Even though this is true, we also have decided to do our own thing and live independently of the living God. In other words: we all have sinned just like Adam and Eve.

The real question is not: ‘Have we sinned’ but  ‘what do we do with our sin?’  Do we conceal or reveal? Do we hide or confess?

1 John 1: 9 declares: if we admit our sins—make a clean break from them—God won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.

The next time you make a decision that hurts or violates another person; the next time you find yourself doing things that aren’t proper or right – come clean! Choose to reveal rather than conceal.  Rather than live a hide and seek lifestyle – live a life of ‘Show and Tell.’

Hide and Seek is a fun game to play and I’ve Got a Secret may have been a fun show to watch but hiding the truth and living a secretive life can destroy you, your family and hurt those around you. 

When you TELL the truth, God will SHOW you His love and as a bonus, He throws in forgiveness.  Show and Tell is more than a game – It’s a biblical principle.  Play hide and seek with your kids and grandkids but don’t play it with God.