Fully Known
“But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].” 1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP)
Wow! I do some dumb and stupid stuff during my days and there are times when I don’t even like myself very much. There are moments when this kind of verse makes absolutely no sense to me at all. How is this even possible?
I got impatient in the long grocery line and I did not find three out of the four things I came for. The shelves were empty in those specific locations.
Dropping my bottle of Pepsi Max in the parking lot and watching it roll under a parked car only heightened my thirst.
The car filled with teenagers knowingly cut me off and laughed about it.
I was in such a hurry that I left my cell phone home.
Now to be truthful about all these very real and recent events, I have to tattle on myself and tell you all that I had some pretty wicked thoughts. While I said nothing at the time, I was still thinking how I could have creatively played out each scenario differently. Of course, none of them would have promoted me to any angelic position. Thankfully they were not on the same day either.
In our day-to-day living, even when we have our childish temper tantrums and things go haywire, God knows and does not turn away, leave us stranded or embarrass us further (for we do a fine job of that all by ourselves). When we finally come to our senses and get off the pity pot, He is right there.
Next time you are ranting and raving about something, why don’t you stop and talk to Him? “God, I hate what is happening right now! I don’t like how I feel about life or the people around me. I don’t like me. But I know You fully know me and regardless of what I think or do, You deeply love me.”
I have personally tried this and have not had a major melt down in a long time. Praying like this seems to calm me down and it helps me see more clearly. I still do some silly and idiotic things but that usually happens when I don’t include Him in the planning.
It is comforting to be fully known and still deeply loved.
“But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].” 1 Corinthians 8:3 (AMP).
Wow! I do some dumb and stupid stuff during my days and there are times when I don’t even like myself very much. There are moments when this kind of verse makes absolutely no sense to me at all. How is this even possible?
I got impatient in the long grocery line and I did not find three out of the four things I came for. The shelves were empty in those specific locations.
Dropping my bottle of Pepsi Max in the parking lot and watching it roll under a parked car only heightened my thirst.
The car filled with teenagers knowingly cut me off and laughed about it.
I was in such a hurry that I left my cell phone home.
Now to be truthful about all these very real and recent events, I have to tattle on myself and tell you all that I had some pretty wicked thoughts. While I said nothing at the time, I was still thinking how I could have creatively played out each scenario differently. Of course, none of them would have promoted me to any angelic position. Thankfully they were not on the same day either.
In our day-to-day living, even when we have our childish temper tantrums and things go haywire, God knows and does not turn away, leave us stranded or embarrass us further (for we do a fine job of that all by ourselves). When we finally come to our senses and get off the pity pot, He is right there.
Next time you are ranting and raving about something, why don’t you stop and talk to Him? “God, I hate what is happening right now! I don’t like how I feel about life or the people around me. I don’t like me. But I know You fully know me and regardless of what I think or do, You deeply love me.”
I have personally tried this and have not had a major melt down in a long time. Praying like this seems to calm me down and it helps me see more clearly. I still do some silly and idiotic things but that usually happens when I don’t include Him in the planning.
It is comforting to be fully known and still deeply loved.
Father God, thank You for loving me—warts and all. The love You pour into me is indescribable yet, I feel it and know it is there. Help me share that love with others. AMEN.