Being Known

Have you ever met a celebrity? There is a giddiness to being able to say “I’ve met so and so.” There is even more excitement when we “know” someone that everyone else seems to want to know. Now think about how much of a thrill it is when we are known by those individuals. It becomes even more exhilarating!

Galatians 4:9 captured my attention this week. I have read Galatians many times, but this is the first time this verse has sprung off the page to me with excitement. Paul states, “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God….” Paul communicates to the church in Galatia that they no longer have to be slaves to the gods they once served. Why? Because God knows them!

When we know Christ as our Savior, this is not a “Yeah, I know him.” This is a an intimate, personal, one-on-one relationship where we can proclaim and receive being known by Him. It is this personal relationship David speaks of in Psalm 139:1, “You have searched me and you know me.” It is this intimiate, personal relationship with Christ in which we can find rest for our weariness, calm in our storms, and hope in our suffering.

There is nothing we can do or places that we can run where God denies us or cannot find us. Our names are written in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16) and no one can ever snatch us from Him (John 10:28). We are His. We are fully known by Him: every worry, every fear, every longing, every tear, he knows them all.

It may be tempting for us to try and hide our hearts and hurts from God. However, let us work towards resting in that God knows us, these hearts and hurts. We can boldly come before the throne with confidence and proclaiming,

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine (Oceans)