God in the Cabinet

Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him. And to him we must explain the way we have lived.

Hebrews 4:13 ICB

While babysitting one day, my daughter observed the older child chiding his younger sibling. He opened the cabinet and said, “God is watching you!”

My daughter laughed and asked, “Is God in the cabinet?”

Indignantly, the child stated, “Yes, Kristina. God is in the cabinet.”

My daughter walked toward him and peered into the cabinet. Like soldiers in formation, several small statues representing various gods stood before her. 

Those of us who know the one true God of the Bible see those gods for what they are. They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see. They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have no breath in their mouths (Psalm 135:16-17 ICB).

Our God is alive. He sees; he hears; he speaks. But do we ever try to put God in the cabinet? Not literally but figuratively.

Do we open the cabinet when we have Christian friends over so they can see him on display? We may open the cabinet when we want him to see us making food for a sick friend or reading the Bible or turning the other cheek.

Do we shut the cabinet door when we say words that hurt our families or harbor resentment rather than offering forgiveness? Or when we watch tv or surf the internet, hoping God won’t take notice?

But the Most High does not live in houses that men build with their hands...Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool (Acts 7:48 ICB). God just won’t stay in the cabinet.

He sees what we do in secret. He knows our evil thoughts. He knows our intentions even if we try to hide them in good works.

But this is good. God’s desire for us is to be honest with him and with ourselves. Then he can change us.

Shall we open the cabinet?

Terri Vardeman