We Need the Comfort of Being Fully Known. Where Do We Find It?
We Need the Comfort of Being Fully Known. Where Do We Find It?
This week I'm blogging over at Club31Women about being fully known by God. Here's an excerpt:
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5)
The impacts of COVID linger. Some are realized, others carefully hidden. Counselors are overwhelmed and in short supply. Having a mental health issue has become unfortunately common and often shame hides the need for help. Kids are confused. The struggle to fit in or to succeed has become overly significant. Our kids feel they are too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall. Ugly. The longing to be accepted is a daily reality.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash. We were made for relationships- a family, a community. Creation sprang forth from a family: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26). Whether we are eight or eighty we long to be known and accepted. We need the assurance of being known by our heavenly Father and by a few close friends. But this might feel scary. Why? In our relationship with God we may think: If He really knew what I’ve thought or done, He would not accept me. And yet, David says “You have searched me, Lord and you know me” (Psalm 139:1). Or we fear: God can’t forgive me for that. My sin is just too awful. When we say this what we are really saying is “My sin is greater than the sacrifice of your son on the cross. I need something more.” Can you imagine how much this must hurt the Father? John says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In our longing for friendship we may feel: No one really likes me. I’m not… Underneath this misery is a focus on self. Accept me. Be my best friend. Instead, God has called us to focus on others. To reach out to them. To take the initiative to know them and to love them.