Fully Known

There can be something quite anxiety-inducing about not being known. Meeting people for the first time, or trying to express yourself with those you have only just met, can be stressful, as you search for that sweet-spot where you feel that they understand what you are saying. This isn’t made any easier by the fact that we humans have a built-in propensity to judge people quickly, and by what we see.

On the flipside, when you feel that you are truly known by someone, it brings peace to the relationship. You can rest knowing that they get you, they love you, and they have that wonderful ability to filter through the mumbling, or frustration, or tiredness, and hear not just your words, but your heart.

Today’s verse starts off with our ability to know God. It reminds us that we all see dimly at the moment – regardless of how long you have been a Christian or how much study of the Bible you have done. We all see ‘in part’. But it goes on to say how a day is coming when we will know Him fully. Wow! What a day that will be! I imagine we’ll need our resurrection bodies for that, so that we can contain the wonder of who God is.

Then the verse ends in such a beautiful way … ‘even as I have been fully known.’ Just chew on that for a minute! You may not know people exactly as they really are, and you certainly don’t see and know God as He really is, but God sees you as you really are, and knows you fully.

He knows all our history and all our future. He knows all the mistakes and shameful things we have done. He knows all the lonely times, confused times, arrogant times, angry times, faithless times, desperate times and selfish times. He knows it all. And He loves us! We don’t have to explain things to Him in multiple ways. He gets it already. He knows what is behind the masks we wear and the walls we hide behind. He knows us far better than we know ourselves.

What an amazing truth! What comfort to be fully known (and loved) by Him! Why don’t we take this into today? Maybe we could write it down where we’ll see it regularly – our hand, our phone wallpaper, or some paper on the fridge. “I am fully known by my heavenly Father.” Then, whenever we see it, let’s ask God to let the truth of it sink in, so that we can experience the joy, comfort, and peace that comes from being fully known by Him.