21 May Fully Known
In a world that is so driven by technology, social media, and individualism it is amazing that we cry to be known. It is very possible that your Facebook friends will know more about your social life than your mother knows. Well, let?s be honest, people know what you want them to know. Which, let?s be honest again, is not the real you. We post what we want others to know about us while cleverly burying the truth of who we are. We try with such intricacy to create an image, as if we are branding ourselves. Despite all of our hard work and despite having 5 billion internet friends we deeply desire to be known by someone.
This week as I was driving in the car a flood of emotions came over me. Of course, I know that driving down the interstate is not the greatest place for an emotional breakdown; however, it?s not like I planned it! I know that I am well loved by the creator of the universe and that He has given me a fantastic family, friends and a church body who cares about my soul, but in this moment I felt so alone.
Would someone selflessly care to hear my about my life? Am I allowed to have a bad day when I am tasked with taking the good news of the gospel to people who are living as dead men! How could I be so conceited? As a single women, my culture tells me that my simple ?fix? is to find myself a man and that I will find ultimate satisfaction when I say ?I do.? Absolutely not! I refuse to dive head first into that pool of lies. ?
So, what did I do while I was driving down the interstate weeping? I cried out, ?Jesus, I want to be KNOWN!? Those exact words. I was about to be at my destination and I realized that I needed to wrap up this pity party. I turned on Spotify to calm down and worship to one of my favorite playlists. A song comes on that I have never heard before. After a beautiful intro of piano and guitar these are the lyrics that I hear: It?s so unusual it?s frightening / 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 / Im fully KNOWN, and loved by you. ?(Check out Tauren Wells- Known)
Not only did the Holy Spirit answer my prayer within seconds, he wrapped my blubbering self up in a tight hug and reminded me that I am fully known by him and that he loves me! You cannot get any more intimate than that ladies and gentlemen. The God of the universe who holds everything in motion, who sent his son to die on a cross to take away my sin and shame in rebellion so that we could have a personal relationship for his glory filled the space in my car with his presence. God knows me better than I know myself.
May my testimony remind you that God hears your prayers and he loves you. My greatest pleasure and privilege is to have an intimate relationship with a holy God who calls me his child. When Satan tempts you to have a pity party or if he manages to convince you that as a believer you are all alone, fight him with God?s word. Cry out to the Holy Spirit to remind you of truth. When I began this testimony I told you that it is easy to put up a facade and to brand yourself as who you want others to believe you are. May your identity be in Christ and in Christ alone. I remind you of what the word of God says:
?Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another?and all the more as you see the Day approaching.? ??Hebrews 10:19-25
Sarah Goldie
Generation LINK Resident
Columbia, SC
Pineview Baptist Church