CassieYou know what I mean.
To be hidden. How do you hide?
Maybe you’re shy. Ever since you can remember you’d be praying for a teacher that didn’t call on the kids in class who didn’t raise their hand. You’d sit at the back of the classroom and hide in a notebook or slumped down in your chair behind the other kids.
Or maybe it’s your body that you hide. Layers of clothes you don’t even like the style of adorn your temple every day so no one can really see the rolls, the cellulite, the lack of tone.
Maybe it’s sin. You hide away from your parents or spouse or friends on that computer screen in your bed because it seems to be the only way you can get release.
Or maybe it’s sadness, loneliness, that you hide. You’ve got the brightest smile when you’re facing the world, but it’s only skin-deep, covering up a myriad of scars and an inward life of depression and darkness.
We’ve all hidden before, or been in hiding.
But there is One who we cannot run or hide from even if we made it our life’s mission to do so. And while, depending on our propensity, we may feel afraid of that fact, that is the best news EVER for you and I today.
“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17).
Let that sink in.
Whatever you are trying to hide right now is never hidden from God; and, it will be made manifest, known, and brought to the light.
So rather than wasting energy trying to hide…why don’t we cast our cares on Jesus, repent of our sin, and live by the Holy Spirit?
This isn’t to make you afraid of the day that Jesus returns. And it’s not to make you feel condemned or shameful of trying to hide. No; there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and Jesus is not a God of shame.
He just has better for you. More. Oh, so much more.
And that “more” and “better” starts with believing in Him, picking up your cross, and following Him. He will show you the way of repentance, grace, Truth, forgiveness, and walking in the light. He Himself will light up your path and your steps.
How do we come out of hiding?
1. Confess your sins and repent of them.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
2. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide. Obey Him.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
- Be in community with other believers and remain accountable to them.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Hebrews 13:16-17).
Can you hear Him now? “Come out of hiding” He says, “You’re safe here with me.”
