For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
- Colossians 3:3-4

Listen to the union language in today’s passage: “hidden with Christ,” “hidden … in God,” “Christ … is your life,” and “you also will appear with him.” Throughout the writings of the Apostle Paul, this theme of union appears time and time again.

We need to know that we’ve been united with Christ. We are one with him. The lines between where we end and he begins get pretty blurry. He considers things that have been done for us as having been done to him. He doesn’t stand at a distance from us. He doesn’t give us space.

Jesus can finish our sentences and, more and more, we can finish his too. He knows us completely and we recognize his voice. Nothing can separate us.

We have no life apart from Christ. We go where he goes and join him in what he’s doing. He’s not our safety net; he’s on the tightrope with us.

Take some time today to try this imaginative prayer exercise, designed to give you insight into your current lived experience of your union with Christ and to help you experience greater intimacy with him.

Picture yourself sitting on a flat boulder on the side of a winding mountain road. From a distance, you see Jesus walking up the road toward you. How do you feel?

As Jesus approaches and sees you, what is his response to you? What do you see on his face? Allow what you know about Jesus’ from scripture – his grace, mercy, compassion, sacrifice, justice, and love – to shape your picture of him.

Now imagine that Jesus sits next to you. Who would speak first? What do you think you would say to him? What would he say to you?

Finally, Jesus gets up to continue down the road and invites you to walk with him. What will you do? How will you journey with Jesus today?