"O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold O LORD, You know it all." Psalm 139: 1-4 (NASB)
Isn't it great when you hear your name from a familiar voice. Being known by others is a pleasant thing. Especially when there are good memories of caring and being loved. Oh, what a great feeling. Then in contrast there are those other days, like when your mom or dad use all three of your names. Sometimes I think middle names were made to help our parents get the message across that we are now in trouble.
When I was in my twenties I had the idea that there was something monstrous lurking inside me. I went to a therapist who helped me to learn about myself and allay my fears, but she was not a Christian so our work never touched on sin. Although I hadn’t committed any of the big ten from the Old Testament, I was far from the God I grew up with and ultimately came back to church and to Christ and the solution is to fix my eyes upon Jesus rather than focusing on unhealthy thoughts. God fully knows us and cares for us as it says in this song by Tauren Wells (click here to listen)
"Known"
by Tauren Wells
You see right through the mess inside me
And you call me out to pull me in
You tell me I can start again
And I don't need to keep on hiding
I'm fully known and loved by You
You won't let go no matter what I do
And it's not one or the other
It's hard truth and ridiculous grace
To be known fully known and loved by You
I'm fully known and loved by You
It's so like You to keep pursuing
It's so like me to go astray
But You guard my heart with Your truth
A kind of love that's bullet proof
And I surrender to Your kindness
I'm fully known and loved by You
You won't let go no matter what I do
And it's not one or the other
It's hard truth and ridiculous grace
To be known fully known and loved by You
I'm fully known and loved by You
How real, how wide
How rich, how high is Your heart
I cannot find the reasons why
You give me so much
How real, how wide
How rich, how high is Your heart
I cannot find the reasons why
You give me so much
I'm fully known and loved by You
You won't let go no matter what I do
And it's not one or the other
It's hard truth and ridiculous grace
To be known fully known and loved by You
I'm fully known and loved by You
It's so unusual while it's frightening
I'm fully known and loved by You