I Am Known
January 20, 2021
January 20, 2021
Knowing someone so well that you know what they will say before they say it is amazing! We all want to be known at least by one person to that degree. My husband and I are like this. When I did my Let's Play on YouTube this last week, I predicted what Walter would say at one point in my video. I then had the opportunity to watch him as he saw it for the first time and sure enough, almost word for word, he said what I thought what he would, only he said it before I did in the video. When he heard me repeat those same words, I saw his eyes light up and he laughed. His eyes lit up because in that moment he knew that he was known by me.
Have you ever had an experience like this? Either the perfect gift, which was exactly what you wanted without you needing to say a word, or someone knowing what you would say in a given situation. It is nice to have someone love you enough to want to be so invested in you, that you are actually known by them. I know for me, it makes me feel loved, cherished, valued, and understood.
These feelings are important! When we feel unloved, devalued, and misunderstood, we start struggling with our self worth. This can be a downward spiral, because as our self worth plummets, we push others away because we are fearful that they will enforce these feelings of worthlessness. In this isolation we have eliminated the possibility of anyone confirming our belief about ourselves, and at the same time alienated the only voices that could contradict it as well. This is why we need community.
Every person has value. Every person is worthy of love. Every person is deserving of being known. Do not dismiss this. YOU are valuable, YOU are worthy of love, YOU are deserving of being known. With COVID keeping us distant from each other it is even more imperative that you know this and embrace it. Even if you are alone, God values you, God loves you, and God knows you.
Psalm 139:1-6
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
I was reading this one morning in my devotions and it struck me, God knows me better than I know myself. I have only known myself since I was born, but God lives outside of time. He is experiencing me from the moment of conception to eternity. He knows my heart, my mind, my emotions. He knows it all and loves me! WOW! He knows every thought, every action, every sin, every victory, every failure and He loves me! WOW!!!!!!!!!!
The other thing that struck me is that God is the king of unrequited love. He loves everyone, but never forces anyone into relationship with Him. He waits, heart full of love, for us to invite Him in. We will not experience the fullness of His love for us until we let Him in. I think about how many people reject God's love and how much sorrow that must bring to Him. I was watching a movie over Christmas called The Holiday, and one of the lead actresses portrays a woman who was experiencing unrequited love with a co-worker who gets engaged to another woman. The devastation she goes through is heartbreaking. Imagine now, how it would feel for that to happen over and over. Yet He never gives up, never stops loving us. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Whether you have let Him in or not, God knows you. You are fully known.
Personal Note: If you have already let Him in I challenge you to take some times and really think about how great God's love is for you and let that love flow over you. If you have not let Him in, consider doing so today. He is there waiting for you, loving you from a distance. He knows you and loves you for exactly who you are!
Have you ever had an experience like this? Either the perfect gift, which was exactly what you wanted without you needing to say a word, or someone knowing what you would say in a given situation. It is nice to have someone love you enough to want to be so invested in you, that you are actually known by them. I know for me, it makes me feel loved, cherished, valued, and understood.
These feelings are important! When we feel unloved, devalued, and misunderstood, we start struggling with our self worth. This can be a downward spiral, because as our self worth plummets, we push others away because we are fearful that they will enforce these feelings of worthlessness. In this isolation we have eliminated the possibility of anyone confirming our belief about ourselves, and at the same time alienated the only voices that could contradict it as well. This is why we need community.
Every person has value. Every person is worthy of love. Every person is deserving of being known. Do not dismiss this. YOU are valuable, YOU are worthy of love, YOU are deserving of being known. With COVID keeping us distant from each other it is even more imperative that you know this and embrace it. Even if you are alone, God values you, God loves you, and God knows you.
Psalm 139:1-6
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
I was reading this one morning in my devotions and it struck me, God knows me better than I know myself. I have only known myself since I was born, but God lives outside of time. He is experiencing me from the moment of conception to eternity. He knows my heart, my mind, my emotions. He knows it all and loves me! WOW! He knows every thought, every action, every sin, every victory, every failure and He loves me! WOW!!!!!!!!!!
The other thing that struck me is that God is the king of unrequited love. He loves everyone, but never forces anyone into relationship with Him. He waits, heart full of love, for us to invite Him in. We will not experience the fullness of His love for us until we let Him in. I think about how many people reject God's love and how much sorrow that must bring to Him. I was watching a movie over Christmas called The Holiday, and one of the lead actresses portrays a woman who was experiencing unrequited love with a co-worker who gets engaged to another woman. The devastation she goes through is heartbreaking. Imagine now, how it would feel for that to happen over and over. Yet He never gives up, never stops loving us. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Whether you have let Him in or not, God knows you. You are fully known.
Personal Note: If you have already let Him in I challenge you to take some times and really think about how great God's love is for you and let that love flow over you. If you have not let Him in, consider doing so today. He is there waiting for you, loving you from a distance. He knows you and loves you for exactly who you are!