Hidden in God

"For as far as this world is concerned you have died, and your new, real life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

What does it mean to be "hidden with Christ in God"? How do I live that out in real, practical ways? I mean, it sounds rather escapist, and I have a real, sometimes hard, life to face. I can't run into my room, shut the door, and read the Bible and pray 24 hours a day (though sometimes I'd like to)!

Colossians 3 and 4 actually contains quite practical direction. Here is what I'm gleaning as to how to live a "hidden" life on the rocky slopes of life (see Song of Songs 2:14).

• Seek the rich, eternal treasures that are above.
• Set your mind and keep it set on what is above.
• Kill evil desire, especially idolatry (deifying self and created things instead of God).
• Rid yourself of anger and rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, foulmouthed abuse, shameful utterances, and lying.
• Put on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourself, gentle ways, and patience (the power to endure whatever comes with good temper).
• Readily forgive.
• Above all, put on love.
• Let Christ's peace act as umpire in your heart.
• Be thankful in every situation.
• Let the Word have its home in your heart and mind.
• Do everything in dependence on Jesus.
• Work heartily from the soul, as for God and not for men.
• Be earnest, unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life.
• Behave wisely with non-Christians.
  
• Let your speech be pleasant and winsome.

So hiding myself in God does not mean sticking my fingers in my ears and hoping all my problems will go away. It does mean actively seeking, pursuing, inquiring of and requiring God every moment of every day. He will give me the strength, endurance, wisdom, and patience to keep on. Not just to keep trudging along in my own strength, but to live in complete dependence on God, with "greatness and . . . vitality . . . because everything is energized by God" (My Utmost, entry for May 2).