“But I will reply, ‘I never knew you.’” ~Jesus (Matthew 7:23)

O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:1, 23,24)

Knowing God and allowing Him to know me are two very different things. It was our son, actually, who pointed out this remarkable truth to us recently. I, who love the Word, dive into it daily, talk about it constantly, and memorize it continually with silly tunes I make up, feel pretty comfortable and competent in my knowledge of God. But that alone won’t get me entrance to Heaven. What Jesus is more concerned about is whether He will recognize me when I am ready to enter His eternal presence.

Will he? That depends on me. Gentleman that He is, He will not enter into intimate friendship with me until I invite Him. How do I do that? David gives us the clue: be brutally honest with Him. Invite an intimate search of every square inch of your soul, your motives, your behavior, your conversation, your character, your tactics, and anything else you can think of. In doing so, Jesus becomes acquainted with you.

While I might recognize someone I admire and have read about, that person won’t have an idea who I am unless I have made it my goal to invite him into relationship. Jesus always responds to invitation; he’s never booked, too busy, distracted, or generally uninterested. Let’s pray to be known by Him!

Jesus,

Search deeply into my soul and know me. Help me to know myself in the process. Give me self-awareness. I am so prone to notice the faults in others when I have so many myself. Let’s study me together and make the necessary adjustments in my life according to your precepts.

Point out one by one your recommendations for change and transformation of soul and character. Thank you that you are FOR me! Who can be against me? You certainly are not. And for that reason – and countless others – I praise You today!

Amen