Hide and Seek

Do you know why I like physical science?  Honestly, there is more than one reason.  Physical science has a lot of math in it.  Those type of calculations have one answer.  Either you get it wrong or you get it right.  There's not a lot of grey area.  It's important to learn to correctly apply the process to get the right answers.  Eventually, you might get so good at the process that they let you use it to research questions that we don't know the answers to, yet.  Then you might discover something new to share with everyone else.  So cool!  

There's a question in Christianity that already has a lot of great answers.  This is not a physical science type of question, because I believe it has more than one correct solution.  

If God wants us to seek Him and find Him, then why is He hiding?

Some say that God isn't immediately obvious because we would not have a chance at faith.  If everyone could see Him, then we wouldn't need to believe.  Some say that we can't see God because of us.  God is obviously there, but the moral condition of the human heart does not allow us to see Him.  Some say our limited human minds and souls wouldn't be able to take His unveiled manifest presence.  We would short circuit.  Maybe we shouldn't use the word 'see' because some would tell you that God is spirit and not physical.  Maybe we should say 'perceive' Him.

May I suggest one more answer?  

As humans, we like a little mystery.  What kid doesn't love to play hide and seek?  I'll hide, and you find me.  Teens love the thrill of the chase, pursuing your crush to catch his/her eye.  Who loves a good mystery novel?  Or a crime show for that matter?  We like to hear the story and figuring out the clues.  It's intriguing.  I wonder if one of the reasons God doesn't make Himself immediately obvious is because He made us and He knows this about our nature.  What if God is playing hide and seek with us just like parents play with their children?  He might leave us a clue, peek out from behind a cabinet door or leave His foot sticking out.  That just whets our appetite to seek Him more.  Then we might discover something new about God, something that we can share with others.  Just like when we use the scientific method to learn something new about the world.  Each of us has a unique perspective.  Each of us can perceive Him a little differently from everyone else.  He's just too big and awesome for any one person to fully perceive.  And then there is this thought that is almost too good to bear, what if the Creator of the Universe really enjoys interacting with us?  Enjoys us just like parents enjoy playing hide and seek with their children.  

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13 NIV