Hidden part 1
This might take a little getting into. But that's why I spend a few days on a single subject. So let's start with one of my favorite verses (and yes, I know they're all my favorites), 1 Peter 3:4, "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." I love that phrase, "hidden man of the heart." And I love it that the hidden man of the heart is not corruptible. Love never fails. Love endures. And here's why its hidden--its meek and quiet. And don't ever forget, meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. I've been Ranting about how strength isn't forcing things down people's throat. Strength isn't about always getting your own way. Strength is about being able to stand (on the Rock, which is Jesus, which is love) even when things don't go your way. Being quiet, but taking care of business. "I didn't know you could do that!" Well, I'm not out here bragging or advertising. Just quietly going about my business. I think that's the best way to do it. But heres' the thing about the hidden man of the heart: Every time you act in love (and the Word becomes flesh), the hidden man of the heart is revealed. Look at Colossians 1:27, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." And in the Amplified Bible it says it even better, "To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory." Realizing the glory... by revealing the glory. By letting what's inside come out. That's how what is hidden is brought to light. The hidden man of the heart comes out when we let our heart lead the way. And those who are led by the Spirit are identified as the Son(s) of God. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). The only way people will really know who we are is by what we do. Actions speak louder than words, right? The rubber meets when the road when you put your money where your mouth is. Is that enough mixed metaphors? My point is, there's something inside us. Christ in you. And there's only one way to let what's inside come out--loving people. And here's the thing--what's hidden will always come to light. So its all about knowing and believing that love is what's really in there. Sometimes, and this is part of what I'm planning to get into in this Rant series, the love is hidden under "stuff." Bitterness can hide it. Hurt can hide it. Fear can hide it. Now don't get it twisted, nothing can STOP love. But sometimes it takes some doing to get past the "stuff." And that's where faith comes in. Faith is what makes everything else go. What you believe is what will manifest in your life--either the lie that the world yells at you or the still, small voice of God saying, "I love you" with every beat of His heart in your chest. The still, small voice can be hidden by the big loud lie. But when you know the truth you absolutely can ignore the lie. The hidden man of the heart is incorruptible. Love never fails. What is hidden will come to light!