To Be Known and Fully Loved

We all long to be fully known and to be truly loved. This quote by Timothy Keller puts it perfectly: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.”

With the desire of being known comes the fear of rejection.  If people knew me inside out there is no way that they would ever love me.  For so long I struggled to be open with people because there was this fear inside of me that told me that no one will ever love me for who I am.  Being surrounded by a community that loves God showed me how important it is to live in a community that embraces vulnerability.  There is nothing more healing to have people in your life that fully know you and all your baggage and are committed to walking with you through life’s ups and downs.  I heard it once say, “we hurt in isolation, but we heal in community”.  What a true statement! I believe healing can only come when we are willing to be vulnerable and show others who we are and let them speak into our life.

We were not created to live life on our own.  God, who created us, is community himself.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  When Jesus was walking on this earth, ministering to people He didn’t do it alone. When He sent out his disciples He didn’t send them alone but He sent them out two by two. (Mark 6:7) We are not made to live independent. We are created to live interdependent.  To rely on each other, to do life together, to lift each other up and to hold each other accountable.
Community done right can be a beautiful reflection of who God is.  He fully knows us and loves us truly.  He takes us as who we are and is committed to walk with us through life’s messes and wonderful moments.  I pray that you find community where you are fully known and truly loved.  Where you can heal and where you can grow, knowing that you have people that are committed to you and cheer you on wherever life will take you.