Years ago my daughter Eden brought one of her “Where’s Waldo?” books to me and we sat on the couch scouring the pages for Waldo, that striped-shirted wonder who is often so tricky to find. If you’re unfamiliar with the “Where’s Waldo” books then understand that it’s a picture book filled with drawings of hundreds of characters and you’re supposed to locate ‘Waldo’ in his signature outfit somewhere in the crowd. He’s on every page of the book but sometimes you will swear he isn’t there because it is so difficult to locate him. Yet, he’s there, even when you think you’ve searched every square inch with no success. After all, it wouldn’t be a ‘Where’s Waldo’ book if he wasn’t on every page. I believe this is a perfect picture of God’s presence in our lives…
Ever Wanted To Modify Your Story?
Most of us would like to tear a few pages out of the book of our lives (anybody wish we could expunge much of 2020?!). There are parts of our story we would rather skip over. However, no matter how much we try to distract ourselves or make ourselves forget, our story is our story. The question many of us have is, “where was God in those dark times and difficult parts of our story?” Perhaps it seemed as if the Lord was a ‘fair-weather friend’ and disappeared when things got difficult? It makes perfect human sense to think such a thing. After all, you’ve thought about it and searched the scenario, looking for God in the midst of the cluttered mess of that page in your story and you can’t find Him. But, much like Waldo, just because you didn’t see Him at first (or even second) glance doesn’t necessarily mean He wasn’t there. Perhaps He was there but wasn’t in the location you expected him to be. (click here to read my post on not cursing your current situation)
I find that people tend to fall into three categories when it comes to dealing with those parts of their lives where God seemed absent; 1) Bitter and Angry 2) Disappointed but afraid to admit it, or 3) Satisfied in trusting His ways are higher and His Word is true. If I were to explain these categories using my “Where’s Waldo” analogy, I would say that the first group has decided that the book lied to them and ‘Waldo’ isn’t actually on every page. The second group also feels let down but feels an obligation to act like it’s ok because they don’t want to make the ‘Where’s Waldo’ books look bad and because they really like the author. (Of course, there is no peace in this so they live conflicted.) The third group has chosen to believe that the author of the book has not lied and that they simply have not been successful yet in seeing and finding what is most certainly there. They believe the author more than they believe in their feeble ability to find Waldo on this more difficult page in the story. I’ve been in all three categories at different stages of my life. If you find yourself in one of those first two categories, hope is not lost! There is a way to health and wholeness.
There’s Hope On Every Page
God is not intimidated by your bitterness or anger and is certainly not offended by your disappointment. But like any relationship, the only way to move forward and find a place of understanding between the two of you is to draw closer to each other instead of allowing for more distance to come between you. How is the Lord supposed to show you where He was in the midst of your story if you are spending all of your energy being offended and hurt by your ‘perception’ of what God did or didn’t do? Could it be, that you don’t have all the information? Could it be that there’s more to the story than you know? Of course, the answer is yes but the real question is are you willing to accept that answer?
I would never want to make light of the most difficult parts of your journey but I also don’t want you to continue suffering unnecessarily. Quiet yourself and then talk to the Lord about that time/event in your life and ask Him where He was. Remember, an honest question seeking to understand is much different that a rhetorical question weaponized to prove a point. If you will run to God and not from Him and allow Him time to answer your question, He will show you. It may take time, and it will require some trust and humility, but I am convinced there is a revelation for you to encounter if you will lean in. I know from first-hand experience. (click here to read some of my story)
The enemy (Satan) has authority in darkness. Therefore, the longer he can keep you confused or upset about the difficult times in your journey, the more authority he has over those moments in your life… and he doesn’t play fair. After all, in the Bible he is called the ‘accuser’ and he will accuse both you and God. We are most deceived when we take the bait and begin believing those accusations about ourselves and God. When we invite the Lord to show us what we don’t know and bring our hurt and disappointment into the light, we allow Him to reveal Himself on those ‘difficult pages’ of our story. When that happens we silence the accuser and God brings purpose and clarity to our journey in ways we never understood before. God and His perfect love are on every page of your life, even the darkest most difficult ones. Invite Him to reveal Himself and you will find He was there all along. When you humbly allow Him to show that to you, you will experience a peace like you have never known. (Click here to read my post, “Drowning In Our Own Judgement“)
From The Bible
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 NIV
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us… – 2 Corinthians 1:8b-10a NIV