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.

Plot

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” - 1 Chronicles 29:11

I’ve been driving a lot lately. Having started a new position at the Presbyterian Church of Marion (Marion Center, PA) and not yet able to move into the area (the home we are purchasing should close on June 12), there has been a lot of time spent on the road traveling the 90 miles to and from.  I’ve rediscovered that it is a good time to pray; and have been doing so diligently as I travel up and down U.S. 119.

It’s also given me a lot of time to, not pray, but think. And consider. And plot.  Kinda fun.

And then I read a passage like that above. It is part of a prayer by King David, given at the temple with deep thanks as offerings were being given to God. 

And I think, hmmmm.  Maybe I should spend more of my road time simply acknowledging God’s  “power and the glory and the victory and the majesty….”  And spend the time looking at all the things in the heavens and on the earth that belongs to God, our Creator.

And stop spending so much time thinking, considering, and plotting.  For in doing so a passage like this convicts me that what I am doing are things of my own power.  David makes it clear that everything is about God.  And my experience tells me that my thinking, considering, and plotting exposes the fact that I am too often self-centered.

Of course, David certainly spent his share of time thinking, considering, and plotting. And it really work out well with scenes like that with Bathsheba, didn’t it?

Thankfully, David…and people like me, are allowed to turn around and turn all things over to God.  Let go of the thinking, considering, and plotting and join in the enjoying and washing in God’s creation and grace. 

So I write this as I’m getting ready to drive home for the evening, grateful for a very good day, may my drive be focus on being more grateful for God’s glory, victory and majesty.  And leave the plotting behind….

P.S. As I drove into Uniontown yesterday evening, one of the clouds hanging over the 'mountains' was spectacularly lit up in various shades of red, orange and green. Power, glory, victory and the majesty; indeed!