There have been times in my life when I have felt “hidden”, but I didn’t enjoy it and mostly didn’t see it as a good thing. That was mostly (if not all) my problem. Not being noticed or feeling “passed over” can give air-time for our insecurities and selfish nature to rise up and breed hurt or disappointment. The apostle Paul talks about a different kind of hiddenness – that of being hidden in Christ. This holds the key to being able to keep our eyes on those things which are of greater value, the unseen and eternal things that are hidden in God.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
What becomes plain is that when your life is hidden in Christ, that is because the old you is dead! The life you now have is a gift from God – a participation of His own divine Life! There is no room for pride, or selfishness in this place. What’s more, when our life is anchored in heaven, then the things of heaven become “visible” to us through the Holy Spirit.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
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