Hidden

What does it mean to live a life that is hidden in God?

We live in an age where so much is public and visible. 

Yet, the Bible speaks to us of a life that is hidden with Christ in God.

"For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God."

Colossians 3:3 (New Living Translation)

Several years ago in my quiet times with the Lord, I really started to have this sense of being hidden. At first, I did not understand it or even like it because it was actually an uncomfortable feeling. There is a natural part of my flesh that wants to be seen and acclaimed. It does not like that which is uncomfortable.

One day I asked the Lord about this and He gave me the image of a caterpillar entering a cocoon/chrysalis. 

There had to be some significance to this image, so I did some further research into the importance of a cocoon.

The cocoon is a place of development and nourishment. It is also protection from predators during a vulnerable stage. However, before the caterpillar can enter the cocoon it has to shed its final outer skin.

If you were to cut open the cocoon or chrysalis before its time, the caterpillar that is in its liquid form would spill out and die. The caterpillar must remain hidden until it emerges in its new body (either as a moth or a butterfly).

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.”

Colossians 3:1-11 (New Living Translation)

The hidden stage in the life cycle of a butterfly is not its most beautiful or attractive to the eye. It is a stage of dying and completely shedding the old in order to live in the new.

In your walk with Jesus, this is the surrender of your will, your ways, your habits, your attitudes, your manner of thinking, and your timing for His. Not a partial surrender but a complete one.

Paul is very clear here, that we have to get rid of those old habits as we walk with Jesus and exchange them with getting to know our Creator. He also points out that your background, culture, or current life situation is not an excuse to hold on to the old.

However, this cocoon stage is not just about dying to the old things but it is also about putting on the new.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

Colossians 3:12-15 (New Living Translation)

I am grateful that God doesn’t leave us guessing about how being hidden in Christ is supposed to look like in our day-to-day lives. It looks like tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, making allowances for the faults of others, forgiveness for anyone who offends you, love, harmony, peace, and thankfulness.

But, how do we go about living in this manner? After all, we still live lives that are far from perfect in the middle of a fallen world.

Paul goes on to give us the keys in the following verses:

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Colossians 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)

- Let the Message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Every time I read that first line, I have to stop and reflect on it. 

The Gospel is rich. It is not a pill to be swallowed in one gulp and quickly forgotten about. You would not scarf down a rich chocolate cake. It is meant to be savored and processed. This happens in biblical meditation. Every time we put His Word before our eyes and ponder it in our hearts, it goes to work to teach, convict, correct, and to train. It cleanses us like the washing of water. It is not meant to be restricted to any one area of our lives but rather to reach every hidden nook and cranny of who we are.

"All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]."

2 Timothy 3:16 (Amplified Translation)

"The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart." 

Hebrews 4:12 (Good News Translation)

"To sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."

Ephesians 5:26 (Berean Standard Bible)

- Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives.

Not only are we supposed to fill ourselves up with His Word, we are also meant to share the wisdom we have received from His Word with our fellow believers, which happens when we engage in fellowship. It is edifying when we get together to talk about life and Jesus.

"We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."

Colossians 1:28 (New American Standard Bible)

- Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Worship is not limited to singing. It is a manner of living. However, there is something special about taking the time to connect with God in song. It is a unique moment of intimacy and refreshment. He is enthroned upon and inhabits the praises of His people.

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:19 (Berean Standard Bible)

"But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel."

Psalm 22:3 (New Heart English Bible)

"But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel."

Psalm 22:3 (New King James Version)

- Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

As a believer, when people look at you, they are searching for an expression of Jesus. They are looking to see what image of Him is reflected in your life. When you look to Him, you can reflect Him. And when you look at Him and see the nail-pierced scars in His hands, thankfulness and gratitude will easily flow. The great price of love that He paid to buy your freedom overshadows all the rest.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31 (New Living Translation)

"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 5:20 (New Century Version)

As followers of Jesus, our desire is be molded more and more into His image. To learn to know Him in sweet intimacy is our greatest quest. We cannot truly live a life that is hidden in Him apart from intimacy. We cannot represent Him well or counsel others without first allowing Him to reveal Himself to us and to counsel us.

So dear friends, this post is merely an invitation to seek Jesus. To take a moment to sit at His feet and allow Him to speak to you through His Word as well as His Spirit. 

The rest will fall into place when you take the time to seek His face.

You are so dearly loved and treasured by the King of Kings. He desires to spend time with you.

Cheering you on,

Rose-Élise Melodie