Psalm 23 : God's Love Chasing You

Our #1 grandson is in the hide-and-seek phase.

At almost four years old, play times don't get far before he says, as if he's the first one to ever think of it, “I'll hide, and you come find me!”

Every grandparent, parent, or adult who's played the game with a young child knows the drill that follows.

Gigi hides her eyes and starts counting to ten. Grandson starts looking for a place to hide. If there are other adults in the room, they proceed to help him locate the perfect hiding spot.

After he's settled into his spot {and before Gigi has finished counting} Grandson calls out loudly, “Gigi, come find me!”

This pretty much gives away his hiding place. But as well-played grandparents do everywhere, Gigi roams around the house, occasionally calling out questions like, “Is he in the closet?” or “Where could he be hiding?”

Grandson knows this game of hide-and-seek always ends with me finding him. There is always a happy conclusion, usually combined with laughter and hugs.

He's discovered the beauty of the chase.

"Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life." Psalm 23.6a (MSG)

When I was only six years old, the ultimate hide-and-seek game ended for me. My dad was a pastor at the time. We were always at church, or so I thought. One Sunday morning during the sermon, something happened.

It was the same setting…same music…and same message. I'd heard it my entire life {all six years of it} but on that day, the love of God caught me. The chase ended when I said yes to the tug at my heart.

Do you have a story of being caught by His love?

Maybe you didn't grow up in church or the child of a preacher. I must tell you I was not always a model Christian. Being a pastor's daughter does not get you that ticket. In fact, I'm sure I don't measure up to that standard today.

The truth is, I didn't appreciate being in church so often. At times throughout my life, I've ventured off track. I was looking for excitement, testing the waters, or wanting to make my own decisions. Always, in the end, those times disappointed.

Through it all, His love was there—chasing me.

I don't mean chasing in a way that knocked me down or out. God was simply there—hovering all around. Watching. Listening. Waiting.

Maybe you're thinking, “She has no idea what my life's been like! Where was God during my loneliness? Abuse? Abandonment? Sickness?”

It’s true – I have no idea what you’ve been through. What I do know is the love of God has been chasing you all along. He is standing right beside you now. Watching. Listening. Waiting.

Friend, be caught by Him!

Let the chase end today. Let this ultimate game of hide-and-seek come to an end. Fall into His arms and spend the rest of your days caught in His love.