Hidden*For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 Where is your life hidden? Paul, writing to the church in Colossae reminds us that our life...the life that matters...is the one that we share with Christ in our baptism. The life that is buried with Christ. The life that is dead to self. The life that is found when I loose it and lose it. Ah, but there lies the rub: letting loose of my life. Sometimes I find that there are places where I still want to hold out. I hang on to control for all I am worth. I try to tell God the terms of my surrender while I "hide" in the stronghold of my self-will. And God, who is rich in mercy, waits. Because "Love is patient" (1Cor. 13:4). I throw out excuses and try to reason. I make empty promises and tell myself that I really am in the right. And yet He waits. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 So I poke my head out (and a little white flag) and realize that I am surrounded by my friend, not my enemy! I find to my surprise and delight that I have nothing to fear. The self-will, which has run riot in my life, melts away as I let go of the old self, the old life, and find that my life has been hidden... secure, and safe all along! Blessings, Matthew+ O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 230) * Reprinted from October 29, 2019 | 
