To be hidden...

I write about having a life hidden in Christ, but what does that look like in this world of Christian celebrities, and breaking through glass ceilings, and building a tribe, and standing on platforms? 

For days I'm amused by the big green caterpillar and little green frog that live in the gardenia bushes outside the study, but they are sometimes difficult to find as they cling to the shrub's thick green foliage - hidden by their natural camouflage. 

One day I look and look, and I don't find them anywhere - hundreds of bright green leaves, but no caterpillar or little green frog. 

The very next day, I look again, and sure enough - they were there all along. And I see a glimpse of what it is to be hidden.

Because I'm created in God's image, and the Holy Spirit is at work molding and making me more like Jesus...

....if I surrender to that process and cling to Him, you'll have to look real hard to see me.

Apart from Christ, all you see is me - clamoring for attention, pushing my personal agenda, pointing to my accolades and boasting of my accomplishments.

But when my life is hidden with Christ in God, you'll only see the Jesus who hides me. 

If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
{edited from the archives}

Mélange - Part Deuce...

...because I don't know what else to do with these photos from recent wanderings around Pollywog Creek except to share them with you for your enjoyment {or not}.

Some of them prove my point when I tell you that my cameras give me courage I'd otherwise not have. I recently learned that one of the caterpillars I've photographed this summer, though I don't think I've posted any of the photos, is one of the 10 most dangerous caterpillars in the world. {gulp}

Can you see that the photo just before the snake is not just a clump of fungus covered debri, but a teeny-tiny bug with pinchers? I've no idea what it is, but it was fascinating to watch it crawl near the fluffy variable tussock caterpillar across the bench {which I did NOT sit on} under the moss-drenched live oak. Once or twice the funny little bug and caterpillar bumped into each other and just turned the other way and went on about their business.

I think that's the way I should be, too, when someone bumps up against me - just quietly and peacefully move on.  

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:18 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone ...
Hebrews 12:14 ESV

Write it or live it?

I'd intended to publish the next Color of September post this morning, but circumstances called on me to live it {being available means considering my agenda less important than the needs of others} rather than write about it. 

Isn't that the way it often happens? It's a testing of sort, I think. Not that I believe that God sent grief or hardship to someone else that I might respond, but maybe he prompted me to write about how I would respond when He knew what would be happening in the life of those I love.  

All I really know is that God is sovereign in the affairs of His creation and I don't need to try to explain it further. 

Don't forget the giveaway I wrote about yesterday. Several people have told me they are unable to leave a comment here. Would you do me a favor? If you are having a problem commenting, would you please drop me an email and let me know the problem you are having so I can work with Disqus to resolve it? 

{Photos: late September dawn on Pollywog Creek}