Hidden

As 2017 comes to a close, I look ahead and ask the Lord what word should be my meditation in the coming year.  The last word He impressed upon my heart was Surrender and 2017 gave me significant opportunities to apply that theme.  And the Lord has spoken again.  The word He gives for 2018 - HIDDEN.

He reminds me that He has been teaching me the last few months about the beauty of keeping a quiet heart.  As I live in a world that is becoming increasingly noisy, I am beckoned by God to embrace the quiet inner life.  I am just wrapping up an in-depth study through the book of Esther.  Prior to this, I had never noticed that God's name is found nowhere on the pages of Esther.  Even so, the movement of God is abundantly evident throughout the storyline.  When God seems hidden, we can rest assured that His presence in His children's lives most certainly is not.  There may be seasons in which we must rely on what we know to be true, not putting stock into our feelings that lead us into thinking God has left us or that He is far away.  He is always near to His precious ones, even when we cannot feel His presence.

The name Esther comes from the verbal root in Hebrew str, meaning "to conceal" or "hidden".  One day as I was studying, Lily made a striking comment - "Esther was poor on the outside but rich on the inside.  So, God exalted her.  He made her rich on the outside (queen) and poor (humble) on the inside so she could go before the king for her people.  She cared more about them than herself.  The king just thought he was selecting a beautiful girl but really it was God who chose her."  This profound description by my daughter made my spirit rise up and say, "I want to be like Esther!".  She naturally won the favor of the king and everyone around her, out of the overflow of living to please God.  That kind of woman is attractive in the most important way.

On the last pages of Esther, it is fascinating that her name is the only one not included in the synopsis, among the other main characters.  One thing we can conclude is that receiving credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing.  I am confronted by this beautiful truth, which helps me to see that I often seek glory for myself.  I am drawn to this hidden life that Esther displayed.  What this looks like in the 21st century as a homeschooling mother does hold much different details than Esther's life, but the inner message is the same.  I can embrace even the most mundane moments of homemaking, knowing that I do them unto the Lord - my audience of ONE.  I can take photos of my kids and delight that my eyes got to view that memory being made, without foolishly thinking that social media exposure would have made it any more valuable.  I can wait for loved ones to ask for wisdom before offering it.  When there are areas in my husband's life I think would benefit from changes, I can take it to the Lord in prayer rather than vocalize those thoughts.  I can cherish a small, core group of friends who challenge and inspire me to seek Jesus more.  I can purpose to prioritize face-to-face connection in a culture where online friendship has become the norm.  I can be quick to listen and slow to speak.  All of these everyday ways adding up to the call of living life HIDDEN.

Colossians 3:3 says, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."  I have died to my old self and my desire is that when people are around me, they won't even see Rachael anymore, but Christ, who lives in me.  And when troubles come, I will remember that He is truly my Hiding Place.

"I am hidden in the safety of Your love.  I trust Your heart and Your intentions.  I've never known this kind of friend." ~ Hidden by United Pursuit