Remain Hidden

Over the holiday season, I kept hearing the phrase, “Remain hidden.”

Until today I didn’t feel I understood what the Lord meant as I’ve believed for many to come out of the wilderness after wading in some deep waters. So, I knew it wasn’t a “be silent” message but something entirely deeper.

When you’re hidden in the Lord really, you no longer strive for “position.” Titles mean little to you and being unseen, well, is like a special God-gift.

I remember my friend and I sharing about how good it felt to finally mature to a place where we didn’t “need” the next “show.” We didn’t long to be chosen by people. It had finally become enough to be chosen by God.

You don’t realize how much your heart is still focused on “self” rather than Christ.

It is good to “remain hidden.”

It reminds me of something the Lord did several years ago.

When we opened our building, the Lord wanted no marketing and no fanfare. I was not allowed to do any ribbon cutting or television announcements. No newspaper articles or radio interviews. His only direction to me was “quietly, get to work.” So that’s what we did.

While I am certainly not opposed to any of those things, it was a clear command to me for the ministry. The focus had to remain about the “work of the Kingdom” and the hearts He would send.

There are hearts today who’ve been prepared for a last day’s ministry which carry more than mantras. They’ve been forged in many fires and no longer mind the hiddenness with God. It is that quiet place that has taught them well of His power, His ability to transform lives, and a loyalty to only His voice. They are no longer interested in swimming in shallow water.

These hearts carry mantles that disrupt darkness. They are not moved by shiny invitations. Their spiritual muscles have been built in prayer, rather than public displays. They stir the pot of complacency and awaken those sleeping at times with nothing more than a whisper.

They went through seasons whereby God removed the desperation for platforms, pulpits, and stages. Yet, they have faithfully remained hidden doing a deep kingdom work that bears genuine fruit that lasts.

Their souls have been “quieted” from all the clamoring of public spotlights. But behind closed doors has been a preparation, and a separation, for what is to come.

Motives were put to a good death and their flesh was crucified again and again. It has become the truth of their lives, “It is no longer I who lives…”

Remaining hidden doesn’t mean you are “hiding.” It means you’re satisfied in the silence. Postured and positioned. Prepared and pure of heart. Standing ready for whatever Christ calls you to in the “Next.”

You don’t need constant companionship or the alluring of “crowds.” Jesus is now enough.

It’s either Christ is birthing it, or “I’m not interested.”

You’ll turn down powerless places and opportunities you use to long for. You know, now, they carried nothing of value. Mere distractions sent to keep you from the higher places in Christ.

Hype is a thing of the past because the Holy Spirit doesn’t require any announcements that He has entered into a territory or place. He can be visibly seen and felt in the transformation of hearts.

The “show” of it all is no longer enticing. It’s repulsive. Sanctimonious, rather than sacred.

I had a dream this week of faces that were painted huge on the outside of a building. I was watching it from a high rise window.

The focus had become about “them.” It was no longer about Christ. A public display of “Look at me, look at me.”

Any one of us can fall into a place of self-exaltation where our heart bents and motives are no longer clean.

Let this word be a gentle word of warning…. To “Remain hidden.”

Let nothing exalt itself above the Lord Jesus. Including yourself…