There’s nowhere to hide
When you reside
And continually abide
In Christ.
The rising tide
Of His presence
Reveals all secrets.

A heart exposed
To the light
Of Christ
Often complains
That His light
Is too bight
And thus retreats
Back into the night
To keep its secrets
Out of sight.

Awe causes the human heart to open like a flower–to abandon privacy for the radiant light of God’s Son. However, as humans, we try to hide our corruption behind what we call “the right of privacy.” That concept was conceived when the first humans tried to hide from God because they feared His light.

Privacy says “keep out”–community says “welcome in.” Clinging to the right of privacy often creates deep loneliness and the fear of being discovered.

When we hide something, we feel compelled to do whatever it takes to keep it hidden and cover up becomes more important than truth. Secret keeping is hard work. Surrendering all to God is power.

Now is the time for intimate holy-awe moments. Every instant is a precious divine gift. The ancient Greeks called it “kairos,” which means the “opportune time.” We need to look beyond “chronos” which is the mere passing of time–the calendar that hangs over our head and coerces us to conform to its chronological commands. Now is the prime time (the “kairos”) to cultivate our heart to be an environment full of aha and awe, overflowing with openness to present moment revelation and adoration–living a life that radiates with God’s Spirit.

Jesus came as Emmanuel–the God-man–so we can live beyond the control of time in a holy now of intimacy with Him that doesn’t fade or pass away. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Stringing together a day full of holy-awe moments will set you free from the prison of privacy.

Jesus puts out a welcome sign, not a private sign. When we leave our isolation, we can embrace true transformation. We can shift from being driven by desires to being compelled by compassion. We can set aside self-seeking and embrace service to others. When we truly surrender to God, we lose our privacy.