Hidden and Revealed

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" Jesus said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. ” Luke 10:17-24 

The painting above was done by my Aunt Kay. I love this image which is called "We're still Dancing" and demonstrates the hidden and revealed nature of all of life. We can never understand another human completely and our faith and our lives have a good measure of mystery. Kay's painting reminds me always that our traditions by law had to be hidden away, our dancing and our ceremonies still go on despite the abuses of law and land. All of life has more hidden than is ever revealed and when we only see the surface, we midst the depths of life and beauty hidden just beyond our grasp.

We find Jesus in prayer, giving thanks for the work of his followers and their simple faith that has changed lives.He is aware of how religious institutional leaders get so wrapped up in procedure that they fail to simply rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of God in their lives. We are invited tow move towards seeing the hidden, towards seeking the simple gifts of God's love and the spirit.

Today I ask God to help me be a simple believer. May we all get out of the way of the simple joys of the Spirit and be those who encourage the love of God in every place we find ourselves today.