Question: why doesn’t God behave more like a GPS than someone playing hide-and-seek?

You know what I mean. When you use a GPS while driving, you just type in your destination and off you go…confident you’ll get where you need to be, when you need to be there. “1.2 miles, turn right.” “Stay left, then right.” “Turn right 300 feet.”

Even if you make a mistake, which I somehow do quite often, the GPS voice calmly says, “Recalculating…” In just a few seconds, the directions resume to get me back on track.

Why doesn’t God act more like that?

I know…God is clear on many issues. Love Him. Love your neighbor. Pray without ceasing. Do not be anxious. Do not murder. There are many clear instructions for how we’re to live, but I’m talking about the issues and circumstances that aren’t spelled out so clearly.

Who should I marry? What should my major be? Where should I live?

What about when you lose your job and don’t know what to do next? Or how about when your marriage is failing and nothing is working? What about your child who keeps making decisions you don’t agree with, but everything you know to do isn’t working?

Why doesn’t God tell us what to do? “Leave work now. Call your daughter. Say: I love you. Let’s go to dinner. Just you and me.”

Instead, God seems to play hide-and-seek. We seek and He hides. Okay, I know He’s not actually hiding, but it can feel like He’s being somewhat elusive. You’ve felt it.  He just doesn’t seem to make it easy sometimes…especially compared to the GPS.

Here’s what I’ve noticed though about using a GPS. I tend to listen for the instructions, but I don’t get the big picture. I don’t learn the city. I’m often not even aware of what direction I’m heading.

If God gave me specific, detailed directions at the touch of a button, I tend to think I wouldn’t choose to seek Him very intently. I’d have my answer and be on my way. I’d have what I asked for…but I wouldn’t have Him.

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33)

“…He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

God desires relationship with me. He’s not interested in being a dispenser-of-advice to make my life easier.

God isn’t hiding, but He does want to be sought. And when we do, we find relationship and reward in the seeking.