Hide

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.  - Jeremiah 23:24

For years I used to hear…and believe…that one’s faith is a personal and private affair.  As  I distinctly remember being told, “My faith is private, what I believe I have no right to shove at other people, nor do I need to be open about any of it.” And I know, at least for a while, I bought into that.

Fortunately, I was able to get a refund from that purchase..

If we really believe such a philosophy, then are we not then just trying to, in a way, hide from God.  “It’s private, Lord.  It’s for me only.  And maybe not even for you!”   

Folly.

As the passage from the prophet says above, any attempt to hide from God is folly. Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?

God’s word also talks about us (believers and trusters in Jesus” as being the light of the world. In fact Jesus said something like, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.” (Visit Matthew 5:14,15)

You cannot hide.  It is not private.  The Lord of the universe has gifted you with his light.  And we live in a world that disparately needs that light.

So…who are you shining on today?  Who do you know that needs to come out of hiding and into the light of Christ?  And what will your role be in doing so.

Don’t hide. Shine.