“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” Jeremiah 1:5 – NIV
Have you ever had a conversation and it felt like you and the other person were not on the same page? Where everything you said is misinterpreted? I had one of those conversations the other day.
They asked a question. I answered. They took my answers and added assumptions and motivations. They took offense. Their assumptions were way off. I was frustrated. They were frustrated. I felt misunderstood. And I found myself asking – does this person know me at all?
It can cause a deep sting when someone you thought knew you, displays behaviors that prove the opposite. It can feel very isolating. Lonely even.
We all crave connection. We want to be loved, accepted and known. We want to be understood. We long to be appreciated for who we are.
Jeremiah 1:5 tells us, God knows us. He knows the very number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). According to Psalm 139, God knows the exact number of our days. God is intimately acquainted with us.
God made us. God knows everything about us. He knows what motivates us. He knows our intentions, even when other do not. He knows our thoughts. Our hearts. Our dreams. Our hurts. Our struggles. He. Knows. It. all.
There is comfort in being known. Familiarity. Vulnerability. When someone knows us and accepts us we feel safe. As. We. Are.
There is peace in being known. Conversations are more relaxed. Emotions are calmer.
There is freedom in being known. We are free to just be ourselves. No pretenses. No need to guard ourselves.
There is confidence in being known. We can speak our mind. Share our dreams. Being understood and supported gives us confidence.
Others may misinterpret what we say. Others may make assumptions about our motives, but God knows. He knows our hearts. He loves us. Just. As. We. Are. Known. Completely.
May we find less offense when others display, they don’t know us as well as we thought. May we give others grace because only God knows our hearts. Only God knows our intentions. Our motivations. May we find comfort, peace, freedom and confidence in the fact we are known by God.