My Hiding Place

Recently I read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, a story of a family that participated in the Underground movement to help Jews escape capture during World War II. The Ten Booms realized that God given them friendships with a variety of people in a variety of occupations due to their congenial personalities and watch making business, which they later took advantage of as they strove to lead others to freedom. The authors write, "But this is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."

Additionally, the Ten Booms constructed a secret room in one of the upper levels of their house that their Jewish friends would pile into when their alarm system went off, signifying the approach of soldiers. This secret room was the "Hiding Place" referred to in the title of the book, but more than that, the book was Corrie's realization that God alone could be her "Hiding Place."

Throughout the book, Corrie was continually amazed by the faith of her sister Betsie who praised God for everything in the midst of their own internment at a concentration camp. Betsie even took time to praise God for the fleas on their beds, which they later realized were the reason the guards did not patrol a certain area of their barracks---where they had begun to lead prayer meetings for fellow prisoners. "More and more the distinction between prayer and the rest of life seemed to be vanishing for Betsie," Corrie explained.

I think that's such a beautiful picture---not only the distinction between prayer and "the rest of life" disintegrating, but the distinction between "ministry" and "the rest of life." The Ten Booms were constantly communicating with God and constantly looking for ways to encourage those around them in the midst of great tragedy, which they were experiencing as well. God really was their "Hiding Place," where they received the strength to go on, to keep fighting. It makes me think of Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." So often I hide in other things, in work, in food, in books, in the affirmation of others, rather than in God. May He truly be my hiding place in the midst of trouble! May I choose to hide in Him!