Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Alicia T. Crosby

Home
Progressive Christian
Hiding in Plain Sight

Hiding in Plain Sight

Last updated on: September 16, 2015 at 8:13 pm by Alicia T. Crosby

Hiding in Plain Sight 2015-09-16T20:13:02-04:00 Alicia T. Crosby

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you…” Jeremiah 1:5

There is something in us – something central to our humanity – that makes us want to be fully known. It drives late night conversations, social media (over)shares, meetings over caffeinated beverage.

We want people – especially those who we love – to REALLY know us.

But they don’t know us. They don’t know our stories.

They don’t know that we got laid off and that we’re struggling to find the money to buy the most basic of provisions.

They don’t know that we are grappling with serious depression and that therapy and our meds are our saving grace.

That we’ve had a shift in faith or ideology and no longer believe the things that we used to.

That we identify as being queer.

They don’t know who we are.

So we hide in plain sight.

We blend into the wallpaper of their imagination of who we are because sometimes that seems easier than being real. At least then we avoid the judgement of people who have the power to wound us because of the love we share. Sometimes making oneself fully known is risky because living honestly leaves us open and vulnerable and sometimes this goes beyond discomfort into the realm of danger.

Only you can determine how and when you share your story with the people around you, but I would encourage you to share it with God.

That verse in Jeremiah 1 gives me hope because to me it says that the God of All, the Creator, knows us.

God knew us before our atoms became molecules and our molecules became flesh.

God knew you when you were a dream in the mind of Divinity.

So that means God knows your joblessness and struggles…

…your state of mental health…

…where you are in your journey…

…who you love…

AND

not only does God know you, God loves you and has plans to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).

God knows who you are, where you are,and how you are even if no one else does. My prayer for you is that the knowledge of that gives you peace and a sense of companionship that you may need in this moment.

Prayer won’t magically make your situation better but sometimes speaking about things with your Creator – the one who knew you in your wholeness even before your sense of time began – can sometimes help you feel a little less alone because in that presence you are don’t have to hide.

Religion and Spirituality

Previous Post

August 9, 2015

A World Shaded Grey

Next Post

October 17, 2015 If We Are ONE Body, Then Why???

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Devotions Faith Justice & Activism Musings My Thoughts Poetry Prayers Spirituality The Blog Things That Struck a Chord Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2020 June 2020 October 2019 July 2019 June 2019 March 2019 January 2019 June 2018 May 2018 March 2018 February 2018 October 2017 September 2017 July 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 October 2016 September 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How did Saul first offend God as king?

Select your answer to see how you score.

He defeated the Philistines He offered sacrifices himself He built an idol He took the Ark