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Hiding Won’t Help!
by Rev. Moses K. Ndereva,
Pastor – Lifeline Community Fellowship
1 Samuel 10:21-23 (New International Version, ©2010)
21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.” 23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others.
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
1. Introduction:
Many times, we hide ourselves or parts of us from God, people who need us, or places which need our services. Like Saul, we shy away from responsibility frustrating the hopes and expectations of many. Once we were lost in the world and were not available for God’s service; but today, our unavailability is due to hiding among the supplies that God has generously supplied. However, wherever we are, God can still see us and it is futile to remain in hiding. Men may not find us, but God certainly knows exactly where we are. There remains an account for us to give to our God; what account are you prepared to give about your call to service?
2. Still hiding?
A telemarketer called a home one day, and a small voice whispered, "Hello?"
"Hello! What's your name? “Still whispering, the voice said, "Jimmy."
"How old are you, Jimmy? “I’m four."
"Good, Is your mother home?""Yes, but she's busy."
"Okay, is your father home? “He’s busy too."
"I see, who else is there? “The police."
"The police? May I speak with one of them? “They’re busy."
"Any other grown-ups there? “The firemen."
"May I speak with a fireman, please? “They’re all busy."
"Jimmy, all those people in your house, and I can't talk with any of them? What are they doing?" "Looking for me," whispered Jimmy.
The Jokesmith, quoted in Bits & Pieces, April 1, 1993, pp. 3-4.
Like Jimmy, everyone is busy looking for us but it is God that knows where we are hiding. Only God can pursue men. It is hard to find people to serve if God does not show us where to find them. God has already given us an assignment but we are too busy among the supplies of this life.
Some may be hiding in academic pursuits. Others are too busy in business while others are too busy working. It may even be pleasures or other things that God has given us including family and friends. The big question is; “why are we not where God needs us”? Why do people get frustrated looking for our help while it is within our ability to help? The answer lies in the way we view service for God and the way we appreciate the gifts he has given us. A doctor’s qualification means nothing if he is not involved in treatment of those seeking healing. God has put so much at our disposal but we often neglect service by failing to utilize what he has given us.
3. Availability makes all the difference
We may have all the ability, but if we are not available, it amounts to nothing. God had a divine purpose for everything he placed in our lives. Whatever we possess or are, are meant to bring benefit to the body of Christ. It could be small or great but when used in service for God it makes a big difference. Phillip Clarke Brewerin Holy Sweat wrote a poem five loaves and two small fish to demonstrate this truth;
POEM: Five Loaves and Two Fishes
God uses what you have to fill a need which you never could have filled.
God uses where you are, to take you where you never could have gone.
God uses what you can do to accomplish what you never could have done.
God uses who you are to let you become who you never could have been.
Philip Clarke Brewer in Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 25.
Let us not be in the habit of reducing ourselves with low self-esteem and lack of appreciation for what God has made us or called us to do. Self-condemnation and bad judgment are reasons why some people will never attain their full stature in serving the Lord.
4. Your usefulness empowers you
Any form of disuse brings a form of deterioration. Anything that is shelved only serves to collect dust. Some things become better with use; the more they are used, the better they look. Living in hiding does not increase us. Any part of the body is left unexercised for long soon becomes atrophied and paralysis may ensue. It is in being used of God for service that we grow stronger. It is in giving what we have that we receive an infilling for what we really need.
The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.
Bits & Pieces, June 25, 1992.
5. Avail yourself for true service
There are two kinds of services that we all give part-time. At times our service is about self- righteousness and at times it is about true service. There is a vast difference between true service that God seeks us to do and the self-righteousness service that humanly speaking characterizes our effort to serve. These differences have been highlighted by Richard Foster in his works, Celebration of Discipline, "The Discipline of Service"as follows:
- Self-righteous service comes through human effort. True service comes from a relationship with the divine other deep inside.
- Self-righteous service is impressed with the "big deal." True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service.
- Self-righteous service requires external rewards. True service rests contented in hiddenness.
- Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. True service is free of the need to calculate results.
- Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.
- Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.
- Self-righteous service is temporary. True service is a life-style.
- Self-righteous service is without sensitivity. It insists on meeting the need even when to do so would be destructive. True service can withhold the service as freely as perform it.
- Self-righteous service fractures community. True service, on the other hand, builds community.
Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, "The Discipline of Service."
6. Conclusion
Are they asking where you are? Are they wondering whether you are already in or out there somewhere? Are the supplies in your life becoming a hiding place away from God and his people? Have you given thought that someone is watching you daily? Has it occurred to you that your creator has set a day to meet you to account for all the deposits he invested in you? Where are you hiding and why? Are we shy like Saul to avail ourselves for nobler causes?
I encourage each of us to take deep thought about service and consider what is likely to be lost on account of our inactivity or unavailability. Ask God to show you how best to use your talents for him. He will not fail you. Remember; God considers you precious and honorable in His sight. He loves you beyond your imagination. If Jesus could send for a colt because he had need for it; he certainly has sent for you because he wants to work with you.
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