Known

How many people would you say you know personally? Of those people, how many do you really know? How many of the people who are a part of your daily life do you know-know? (I know; that’s a lot of “knows.” (-;)

I’m guessing you know a lot of people. And I’m guessing you don’t really have a solid answer for how many people you know; you just know it’s a lot. Well, I want you to think about how many people you truly know. People who you know what their middle name is well as their first and last; you know their birthday and what they might like to receive as a gift or do on that special day; know what they’re good at; what annoys them; what they enjoy doing; their favorite things; the color of their eyes; -the list could go on and on!

Here’s another question, that might be a little harder: How many people know you? You probably don’t really know how many people know you in general, but maybe you can come up with a pretty accurate answer for how many people really know you. If someone really knows you, I think you would be able to tell and notice. Someone who really knows you would know your name, know what your personality is like, some of your beliefs and values, what you’re probably up to on a weekday, and so much more! So, how many people know you on a personal level? Who knows you best?

I know, I know- so many questions! But I’m not done! Do you like to be known? How does being known make you feel? How do you feel when you’re someplace out and about and you hear someone calling your name to say hello? How does it feel when someone remembers your birthday and even sends you a text or a card? How does it feel when someone expects a certain reaction from you? Typically or in general for most of these questions, you probably answered “pretty good!” It feels nice to be recognized and treated like a human being and cared about! Alright, I’m done with the questions- for now!

I think many of us can say we know a couple or a few people really well, and that a few people know us well. But not everyone can say that.

I’ve heard the saying “to be loved is to be known.” (It looks like the quote is from a marriage book by Timothy Keller, but I don’t know anything about it so that’s not the point; I just wanted to give credit where it was due. (-;) And I’ve recently been thinking about it. Personally, I think the better someone knows me, the more loved I feel. I feel loved when someone knows that I like a specific treat or knows I don’t like a certain type of movie or knows what my top love language is. When someone says hi to me at an event, I might not think, “oh, they must love me!”, but it gives me a good feeling, even if it’s a small one. And they might not actually love me, but I’ve been acknowledged as a human being that they recognize and know. They probably know my name and where they’ve met me before. I’m sure that has happened to you. And then if they take even more time to talk with you and ask about your life, doesn’t that make you feel even better? (Generally? I mean, some people you just don’t like; and some days you’re not in the mood or in a hurry to get somewhere else; I get it. But bear with me!) Even knowing the small things make a difference. It matters.

Sometimes I feel a little hurt when the people who know me best forget that I do or don’t like something, or expect me to think, feel, say or do something I typically wouldn’t, or something to that effect. I don’t believe I’m a super sensitive person, but we all get hurt feelings from time to time. For example, someone might think I’ll get mad at them for doing something and yell at them, but I feel that they should know that I wouldn’t do that! They might get mad if I did whatever they did to potentially upset me, and maybe they would yell, but that doesn’t mean I would. And, of course, I know our memories sometimes fail us and we can’t possibly remember everything about everyone we know! That’s unrealistic. But I think that of the people we love best, we should make an effort to truly know them on a deep level.

If you love someone, or say you do, get to know them. The real them. Find out from them about their past, their thought processes, their goals and aspirations, their fears, their hidden talents, what brings them happiness and joy, how they would react to certain situations, etc. Not all of these things you can -or should!- find out by asking them outright. They might not want you to show up on their doorstep today for a three-hour-long interview. That would be weird. Especially if you brought a notebook and pen to take notes. Don’t do that. Instead, hang out with them! Pay attention to them. Be interested in them and their life. Visit with them. Ask a few questions here and there. It doesn’t have to be creepy or forced. You can get to know someone decently just by being around them and seeing them consistently. Maybe not on the most personal level, but you can get to know a lot about a person by simply spending time in their presence!

Getting to know your loved ones better is a way to love them even more, but they aren’t the only people you should make an effort to get to know! It would be such a kindness for you to intentionally get to know other people in your life too, outside your home. Even the people you don’t like that well. Maybe you would learn why they are the way they are that makes you dislike them. Or maybe they’ll notice your kindness and their heart will soften. Maybe they’ll become more comfortable around you and perhaps you will even become friends! Even if not, though, at least you will have done your part. Trying is showing you care.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

If, as believers, we’re trying to do our best for the Lord, our good deeds and acts of kindnesses won’t be wasted! And I don’t believe someone who hasn’t come to know the Lord yet can’t get to know someone and make them feel seen and valued as a person.

I don’t know how many people I know or know me or know me on a personal level, but one thing I do know: God knows me best. He knows me better than I even know myself. And the same goes for you. Even if your answer for how many people know you was zero, there actually is at least one. And He’s most important. He not only knows you but He also already loves you! Even though He knows all the negative things about you. All the sinful thoughts, all your past mistakes, and the things you hide from others. He knows all about us, and yet He chooses to love us still. And that is amazing. Another amazing thing is that we can know God! We can get to know God! I’ve believed in Him my whole life as far as I can remember and I’m still getting to know Him! In all honesty, I feel like I don’t actually even know Him that well, or as well as I could. I believe that getting to know God is a lifelong kind of thing, though, and our little human brains can’t even fully comprehend who He is and what He’s like.

My challenge for you today is this: Make a little effort to get to know someone today. Even if in a very small way. And even if you probably will never see them again. Treat the people around you the way you would want someone to treat you. Be that person. Make someone’s day by remembering the details about them. Get to know fellow humans better! (-: