How does it feel for you to be known? To be seen, feel understood, and be recognized for who you are. To feel accepted even when your less-than-best self shows up. 

What creates a sense of being known to you? Who are you with? Where do you feel relaxed, at peace, and comfortable being exactly who you are?  Might a text at the right time, a glance, or a good question create this for you? This is so intriguing to think about. 

One way being known shows up for me is through prayer. When the Holy Spirit guides a prayer written in my journal or when my eyes start to tear up as a friend begins to pray for things I have not even realized my heart is yearning for,  I know, in this moment of prayer, that God sees me.

We all have a deep human desire and need to be known and seen. This desire to be noticed, valued, and loved is normal. We begin this as infants and carry this desire our entire lifetime. This is such a relief! To know, we need to be known.  No wonder the opposite experiences of being overlooked, forgotten, or seeming that we are invisible are so painful. Our hearts are designed to thrive in loving relationships with others.

We need people to see into our lives. It helps us see the bigger picture of who we are and open our eyes to the things we can not see for ourselves.  We need others to show us love and allow us to love them back. 

Being known does require something from us, though: vulnerability, engagement in relationships, sharing our story with others, opening our hearts, and trust. Yikes! This can be challenging and scary. We all have hurt and pain in our stories that can make us want to avoid the risks. I get it. 

Here is some good news and a few steps we can take to help us lean into this desire to be known. Let us use it as an invitation to draw closer to God and our people.

• Remember that God is first in line as the one who sees and knows every bit of us.  His gaze is upon us with love, compassion, and joy. His hand is upon us.  

• Name what might keep you from opening yourself up to being known by God or your people. Who can you talk to about this?  

• Pray Psalm 139. This psalm invites us into a humble posture of seeking to be truly known. 

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down,

and are acquainted with all my ways.