I was recently talking to someone about the Grand Canyon. Our conversation steered to a book about “Deaths in the Grand Canyon.” It is filled with stories of those who lost their lives in the Canyon, mostly because of poor choices. The one that touched my heart was of a father playing hide-and-seek with his young son.
The areas of the South Rim (the primary visitor location) have small stone walls that serve to protect tourists from the dangerous edge of the canyon. The distance between the walls and the edges of the canyon vary, making some portions appear safe. The father in this account chose to entertain his son by playing peek-a-boo from behind the wall as the family walked along the viewing area. Dad would duck down below the wall and pop up to the surprise of his young son. I am sure that everyone was having a great time in a great location!
Typically we think of hide-and-seek as a game that kids enjoy. Yet, truth be told, there is another version that can be very dangerous. I was recently impressed by this danger from the account of Adam and Eve’s fall from God’s grace. I am sure most of you are aware of the account from Genesis 3 in which they eat of the forbidden fruit. What stands out to me is their immediate attempt to hide their disobedience from each other and God with coverings made from leaves.
What hit me is that my adult response is often no different than the toddler way of thinking; “if I cover my face I cannot be seen!” We read, “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8). This passage is almost comical when you think about it, except for the very real consequences. The passage reminded me that I am prone to do the that same thing. Yes, my hiding may seem more sophisticated, yet not matter how I define it, no matter how I rationalize, my actions are a feeble attempt to conceal something from others and God.
So why do I do this? The Apostle John shares Jesus’ teaching, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20). Adam and Eve’s response to their sinful behavior is the same for me and you today. We want to engage in behavior that is forbidden in some form and we forget that we cannot hide from God or others. Let’s be honest with ourselves. If we are attempting to hide something it is probably not good. Am I right? This should be a big red flag in our lives that we are dancing on the edge of destruction.
Let us remind ourselves of Jesus’ admonition: “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:21). Many times we fail to seek help because we fear the consequences. Yet, the Lord reminds us again and again that the only solution is to come clean, or as He says it, “come into the light.”
The devastating conclusion of that wonderful time at the Grand Canyon was when dad did not reappear from behind the wall to his anxiously awaiting son. The account reveals that playing on the other side of the wall he slipped and fell to his demise. A true tragedy I am sure the father would have handled differently if he had thought of the consequences in advance. He would have had many opportunities to end the fatal game. If you are hiding, it is time to come into the light!
-Pastor Joe Parkinson