The Gift of Being Known

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

What we are is known to God. 2 Corinthians 5:11

“May it happen to me as you have said.” -Mary, mother of Jesus, upon the news of her immaculate conception (Luke 1:38).

Hidden among the gifts piled high under the Christmas tree of Calvary lies a small package easily missed in the tumult of sparkling paper and silver bows. If you find it, inside you will discover a signet ring, your own name engraved within its golden arc. 

Along the crest of the signet is one word: 

Known.

This gift, meant for you, was officially sealed by the One who came at Christmastime.

What we are is known to God. 

We are known!

The brilliance reflected from this gift may intimidate. The flash of truth when it catches the light may temporarily blind you with fear.

But if you will try this ring on your finger, the finger that pounds the keys seeking to write the words God gives, you will find it fits perfectly. For His knowledge of you and me is perfect, complete. He is not afraid of who we are. All of it. 

And it is from this place of complete knowing that God reveals our life purpose.

Christmas came through a girl who was willing to believe God knew her better than she knew herself.

The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:27-28

God knew Mary. She was known far beyond the facts we all list from memory on Christmas Eve, the virgin, the teenager, the betrothed. The Jew, the girl, the simple villager. Mary was known by God far beyond what she knew and understood about herself.

And Mary was loved.

You, dear purposed one, are known. And you are also loved.

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Luke 1:29

Mary’s first response to such big knowing was fear, and it’s no wonder. The calling of God is fearsome. He asks more of us that we think ourselves capable. He asks the impossible, really. We think we know ourselves. And we know we can’t do that thing He’s asking us to do.

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God” (v. 30). 

There it is for the second time in those messenger-words, that word favor. What does favor have to do with fear? 

The Greek word is charis, implying a state of love, kindness, and favor toward someone with a focus on a benefit or gift given to them specifically.

Charis takes being known to a higher level. This isn’t just knowledge, this is loving knowledge. Kind knowledge. Knowledge with a sparkly present in its hand just for the one who is known. To be loved steadfastly, to have impossible-seeming purpose declared to us by a Giver who is kind and focused on our specific benefit is mind-blowing. And growing. And transforming.

Suddenly Mary’s fear is pushed aside by clumsy, blubbering, belly-laughing hope.

I can imagine her face the moment the thought occurred to her.

He actually chose me for that.

Mary changed her mind about what she thought she knew. She decided to trust that God knew her better than she knew herself and He would fulfill His purpose in her. She accepted the first Christmas gift, that of being known and loved.

That reminds me of some oft-repeated words, worn smooth by the passage of time.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Christmas reminds us that in God’s eyes, being known and being loved may just be the same thing.

Lord, may it happen to me as you have said. Amen.

Wonder what the One who knows and loves you might be calling you to do? Click here to enjoy my Christmas gift to you, Known, a 3-day Bible Study for curious writers.

Known Bible Study - PDF version

Known Bible Study - epub version

TWEETABLE

The Gift of Being Known from author @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of Instead, giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.

Audrey is the author of Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World (Harvest House Publishers), an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available at favorite booksellers: BARNES & NOBLE , BOOKS A MILLION, AMAZON.

Featured Image: Photo by Caleb Stokes on Unsplash