being known

"There is a deep well of riches only to be found in intimacy with Christ. It is free. Yet you can only go there by giving your life, your will, yourself away." a prayer from March 6, 2008

Everyone wants to be known, to be known and still accepted, still loved. Everyone wants to be understood and identified with.

I think God puts that desire in us because we were made in his image. He knows us inside and out, he knows us intimately, everything about us, he is familiar with things about us that we don't even know about our own selves. That could be an uncomfortable thought, but it's not because he still loves us, still accepts us, still pursues us. He goes beyond that by forgiving our flaws, our sins, our messed up-ness. He goes beyond that, by laying all the ugly stuff about us on his perfect son and allowing him to die in our place. He knows us deeply and still loves us deeply.

But a relationship must go two ways. Since we desire to be known and we are made in his image, wouldn't that mean he desires to be known too? If we are to truly know him and be identified with him, then we will go through what Christ went through and that involves serving and suffering.

He gave his life away. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mk 10:45

He gave his will away. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Lk 22:42

He gave himself away. "With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:30

The more we suffer, the more we loose ourselves, the more we let go of our will, the more we trust him, the more we identify with him, THEN the more we will truly know him, love him, praise him and find the intimacy with Christ that we were designed for.