
I've thought about that "knowingness" I treasure so much. I can comb through the past years and cull out the people who have shared my experiences and those I would call my true friends. Of course, in any situation there are people who are "around". They might have happened upon the scene, or simply have been there by default because of whatever position they have held in my life. But there are also those who were "there" -- not necessarily in the same proximity, not necessarily in my circle at the time, but present nevertheless. They are the ones who have willed themselves into my life, who knew me for one minute and have chosen to know me many more, in whatever circumstance I may find myself. For some reason, to them, it's worth it.
And what strikes me is, real relationship is not built upon the drama of the worst days or the fluff of the best, but in those in between moments when life is just ordinary, even boring. I think that's what hangs us up so much of the time: the expectation to be great at something. To be worthy of being known at all times. To impress and entertain and produce a great time. But there is such freedom to realize friendship is the antithesis of that idea; that, at its core, our Father has sewn an intrinsic truth: love is love because it is undeserved.
I've thought about our innate desire to be known and loved, and it amazes me to think that our infinite God wants the same thing with each of us. The Bible itself is a proclamation, a love story that records the depths He is willing to conquer, the stretch of His hand over mankind throughout history. Over and over again He chose individuals who could adhere to one commitment: to know Him. He penned His words through those who resolved to record His heart -- now spread open for us to read. Yes, He is worthy of worship, adoration, eternal praise. But to remember how He walked with Adam in the garden. How He sought out the rejected and alone time after time. How He spoke in a whisper to Abraham, in the quiet stillness of a Friend. How He somehow makes Himself available to be "there" for each of us in the pit, in the furnace, the desert, the field of battle. He stands there with us as we face our Pharaohs and our Red Seas. He chooses to accompany us through throes of heartache or passion or despair......even on to the mundane as we pour our coffee and read the paper. Even while we are unaware and sleeping.
It blows my mind that He wants to know me that way, but even more that He wants me to know Him. To really connect on a relational level. To meet Him there in the morning and talk. I think about Paul and the words he wrote expressing his heart on the matter:
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...."
And I think, what are we missing if we don't plug into that?
Knowingness between the Creator and created. Eternal relationship, the purity of Love, the gift that brought God from heaven to save the world. God With Us, Emmanuel.
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
-- John 17:3













