The Plumbline

If you have ever played the game of hide and seek, you know that someone tries to hide so well that others will not be able to find their hiding spot. As I get a little older, I put things away, thinking I have done so very carefully, only to discover I forget where I have so carefully put those things! It is as though they don't want to be found! Sometimes people 'hide' so as not to be 'found'. At others, they don't even know they have been 'hidden' away for so long, all the while not even realizing someone is searching for them. Do they want to be 'found'? I suspect that deep down they may not, but that doesn't keep God from seeing their need or seeking their heart. And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.” (Romans 10:20) God 'finds' those who don't even know they have become lost. He seeks those who have no way of rea...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you know something and no one else in the group does?  You are almost chatting at the bit to get an opportunity to share it with someone, or perhaps you have been sworn to secrecy and cannot.  Either way, it is almost impossible to contain yourself. The information you possess is almost too big to be contained.  I think this is the way it is with what God gives us - it is almost too big for us to contain it! It leaves us feeling like we'd have to share it or we'd burst.  I like the analogy of heading off to the market one day in search of a new oil burning lamp for the homestead.  You have the anticipation of the journey - for you have a mission in mind.  You have the moment of exploration - for there are many lamps from which to choose.  You have the moment of choice - for just the right one has been selected.  You have the moment of expectation - for you can imagine the light it will bring to your hom...