Finding hidden objects can be a fun game. As a child, with my siblings and cousins, frequently we gathered at my grandparent’s parsonage. A favorite game was hiding an object for others to seek. The one that hid the object gave hints to the others with the words “hot” or “cold” depending on the searchers’ proximity to the hidden object. When the object was found we dissolved into whoops and hollers rejoicing over the found object.
I wonder if God ever leads us to discover hidden treasures within ourselves. Each of us has hidden portions of our self that may potentially be brought to our conscious awareness as we seek to know God and self more authentically. Through prayer, God reveals how we are most uniquely created to be God’s precious treasure. Often the discovery of our hidden passions, treasures, and love of God’s formation within the interior of our being comes through difficult circumstances as we seek to live justice, love, mercy, and peace within our world of influence.
The Scripture
In Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul prayed to empower the believers with the presence of the Holy Spirit. A phrase from this Scripture sticks out to my heart. It is that God may “strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A+14-19&version=NRSV.
Paul wanted the readers to be strengthened by the Holy Spirt. As the power and presence of the risen Christ comes upon us, the transformational life-giving water of grace and love slowly, tenderly, and consistently reshape our inward nature more and more into the image of Christ.
This life-shaping presence of God anoints our fears, hesitancies of heart, doubts, wonders, and attachments to things of this world and molds them into the attributes and character of Jesus. To be permeated by Christ, as Paul prayed, is to experience true freedom, true self-actualization, and to live lives watermarked with the character of The Holy Spirit.
Today’s Prayer practice – Visio Divina
You are invited to prayer with a video clip from the movie Hidden Figures. This 2016 true story based on the lives of three African American women in the time of segregation in the United States, highlights the hidden treasures of talent, intellect, wisdom, and leadership. As these women endured the injustice of discrimination, they lived from their personal rootedness of Divine passion and forever changed the landscape of employment at NASA.
Today ponder the insightful and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit speaking a resounding Word to you through visio divina. The video clips may be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQLYZ0Uxxvg (You are the boss). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j6p7ajuh-E (The Bathroom speech) or by entering YouTube Hidden Figures into your browser.
After viewing one or both videos, journal how you experienced the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of these women. Then, consider if there is there an invitation to you for beholding the presence of God during this fourth week of Lent? Close your time of prayer with this or one of your own prayers.
Ever knowing and always present God of justice and mercy, gift me with eyes to see the hidden presence of your Spirit. Grant that I have eyes to see how the power and presence of your Holy Spirit encourages me also to stand up and live from your hidden strength and power in my life. Amen.
