Why can’t I see God?

What would you say if your child asked you this question? Becky Peakcock suggests some things to think about before you answer

I love that moment when you play hide and seek with a small child. There is such joy on their face as they hide their eyes and assume that the rest of their body is also invisible! Whether it’s a blanket thrown over a pretty obvious child shaped lump on the bed, or some feet sticking out from a bulging curtain, they think they are hidden when in fact it’s clear where they are. It’s beautifully naive but such a simple joy! However, the delight they have is quickly forgotten when the roles reverse and they can’t find you. The excitement quickly subsides into panic as they think you might have actually… disappeared!

Is God playing a complex game of hide and seek with his children?

Pitching the level of difficulty for the age of the child is one of many skills that we parents develop. As our children grow, they can cope with more of a challenge, and they seek out trickier games to play with us. But alongside that development, the simple joy and vivid imagination give way to skepticism and concrete thinking. It’s likely that during the years of parenting 7–11-year-olds that they’ll wonder at some point why they can’t see God. Is he hiding? Or maybe if I can’t see him, he’s simply not there?

So how do we answer? Is God playing a complex game of ……