The Hidden Place

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 17:8 NIV 

The hidden places are where God develops, prepares, and guides our paths... If there is a willingness to allow him to do so. The reasons that God will chose to hide us in different seasons of our lives are between you and our Heavenly Father alone. While some Christians think hiding places are a bad thing, I have discovered that it's in these intimate places where we grow closet to God, and where the greatest artist sculpts and molds us into who he’s calling us to be. Sometimes, a hiding place is a covering, shielding us from attacks and storms that God does not intend for us to experience. When the time is right, God will bring you out of hiding and reveal the newest versions of who he has crafted us to be... But this will only occur in his anointed and appointed divine timing. Don’t be surprised that the metamorphosis that has occurred will make you unrecognizable to people, places, and things that we have become so accustomed to having and experiencing. Some of these people and things can no longer serve this new version of you. This brand-new butterfly may be called to fly high to new places to serve a greater purpose that sometimes exceeds our greatest thoughts and expectations.  

Now, a hidden place with God is not the same as us choosing to hide. As a woman who perfected the art of hiding from an early age, when we chose to hide based on our own merit, we leave some vulnerable parts of ourselves open to attacks, running from things were meant to face, and lacking the accountability to deal with tough times. When I was hiding it was a safeguard from openly admitting to when I was hurt, sad, embarrassed, confused, and angry. I hid my pregnancy with my daughter until I could no longer hide it not just from my family, but from the world. I didn’t want to open up or explain to others the experience of becoming a mother, let alone when I unexpectedly had to choose to be a single mother. I hid the ending of two engagements, because it was easier to suffer in silence, than to openly admit that I failed twice, I was heartbroken, and having to explain especially the second time around that this was literally God’s will (I fought God tooth and nail about it). Reflecting on this, it was merely an insecurity of mine. I have always been the “strong one” and “I’ve always had everything all together” when in reality, I had a first-class ticket on the hot mess express. I was running... Running from all the trauma and pain that I suffered from things I experienced, and things that I caused. God forced my exit in both cases, and boy am I glad that he never EVER gave up on me. God will never leave you...but he is waiting on your yes. He is patiently waiting on you to show up for him, even if you are hiding your face and your pain from the world.  

For those of you that are either hiding, or being hidden by God, what is your perspective of this season? What ways can God use you in your hidden season? God has a love language for you and your life. When we take the time to cultivate the most intimate relationship with him, he will speak to us in a language that we will know and understand his character, his voice, and his presence in our lives. In the next blog post, I will expound upon God’s love language. For now, I will leave you with this... I pray you all see the beauty in your hidden places and spaces. God wants to meet you there; all you need to do is show up and seek him.  

Always with love,  

Love Esther