Five words. I’m chewing on just five words this morning. And one word kind of captures the taste in my mouth – overwhelming!

In this day of expressive individualism, where human flourishing is equated with being seen for “who I am”, the upside-down-ness of the kingdom jumps off the page as I read five words from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. In a culture where so many want to be seen, as they post their Instagram-able lives and offer their Tweet-able (X-able?) wisdom, I’m a bit consumed with some of Paul’s reasoning as to why believers should have their minds set “on things that are above, not on things that are one earth” (Col. 3:2).

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

(Colossians 3:3 ESV)

Hidden with Christ in God . . . Take a moment and noodle on that for a bit.

Who am I? A dead man. Where am I? Hidden with Christ in God!

Hidden . . . Concealed. Covered up. Covered over. Escaping notice.

Hidden . . . Perfect tense — our hidden-ness an action “having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.” Passive voice — our concealment not something we did to ourselves but something that was done to us. The grammatical mood? Indicative — a statement of fact, not in question, not up for debate, but just the way things are. Hidden with Christ in God.

Our individualism, our authentic self, expressed, in essence, by its lack of expression because we are hidden. Unexpressed because our individualism doesn’t really exist, as we have died to the old man and put off the old self (Col. 3:9) and are now defined in the context of a union. A union with Christ in God. A communion that cannot be seen by earthly eyes but is a heavenly reality “where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1b). A hidden-ness because we too are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).

With Christ in God . . . Not just in Christ, but actually with Christ. Not just with God, but in God. A double layered wrapping with the Holy Spirit’s sealing (Eph.1:13). How’s that for a triune encasing? How’s that for being hidden?

So, how hidden are we? Pretty hidden!

So hidden that when we live out our hidden-ness the world doesn’t even know us (1John 3:1).

So hidden that nothing can break God’s grip on us (Rom. 3:29).

So hidden that when He appears we too will appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:4).

All because our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

Kind of overwhelming? I’m thinkin’ . . .

By His grace. For His glory.