Each spring, I look forward to a one of our front porch baskets to serve as a home and shelter for birds to haven their eggs. For the second year, I’ve moved a bit slower in purchasing the baskets and simply assumed that the birds found a respectable alternative. While playing outside with Stella, I saw a bird fly under what is the floor of our back deck. Unbeknownst to me, the nest was being established in an alternative space. It was at the same address, but not visible on the front porch; instead the birds opted to claim their space on the back underneath the house. When I saw it, I was blessed. And per usual, the Holy Spirit dropped revelation in my spirit to allow me to further understand what I witnessed. Here goes.

In this season, it may feel as though you are not moving and nothing is changing as you would desire. I’ve been there. I am there. And I’m certain I will be again. Yet, what if the way that we’ve typically sought shelter is inadequate in response to what we are navigating? Many of us may not have abandoned God because our desires do not appear to be manifesting, but have we altered the manner by which we seek God? Are we using the same strategies, praying the same prayer, failing to assist someone else because we see our situations as too complex to set aside and help someone else or not emptying ourselves to be refilled, refueled and reinvigorated by the presence of the Holy Spirit? Has our worship gotten stale and so predictable that we no longer are able to tap into the power and access that we’ve been granted? Are we engaging our shelter in the place and space whether everyone can witness or are we open to the possibility of seeking Him in a secret place? Psalm 27:6 declares, “For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in the shelter of His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.”

As I considered the nest under the deck, I realized that the nest is independent as compared to inside the basket. It is beautiful to have access to community, but in the midnight hour, it is our Heavenly Father who is available and accessible. The nest is fashioned on beams which support a deck as opposed to a flower basket that is succumb to the elements. Psalm 68:28 declares, “Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.” We must be in a space to affirm our memory that God is consistently present as we traverse. Our God is able to protect us from the storms of life and the interruptions that present as we attempt to walk with Him. Choosing to build under the deck means that it is less visible coupled with less traffic. We don’t have to be on display when we are seeking God. In fact, we can go in our secret place as described in Psalm 91 and simply abide. When the nest is inside one of the hanging baskets on the front porch, I’ve been guilty of bringing my step stool outside to peek inside. Contrary to the nest being under the deck, I am unable to view it. When we are hidden so deeply in God as our refuge, others may be curious about what we are up to, but they cannot gain access and will not have any awareness or information until the appointed time. Being hidden allows us to focus on the work that is underway. Being hidden allows us to surrender our will and rest in the will of God. Being hidden provides protection from the spectators. Being hidden shelters us in Him.

I don’t know when the nest will be complete. I am uncertain as to when the eggs will be laid. I have no idea as to when the eggs will hatch. None of these statements differ from our knowledge of when God will respond to what we need or rather what we believe we need. Yet, regardless of the time of maturation, as we rest in God, we understand the necessity of altering our protocol to remain in alignment with His plans, intentions and purpose. Have you been engaging with God in the same way, per usual? While He is never changing, we may need to. Just as we did as children, we must hide and seek.