to be known...

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  1 Corinthians 13:11-12


Recently, I was out for a walk and this passage came to mind.  "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  How amazing will it be to be FULLY known?  I can't even imagine how wonderful (and utterly scary) it will be to be known for who I truly am.  There's such freedom in knowing that God loves me as I am, and that one day when I stand before Him, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, I will be fully known.  


Yet, this time, the passage hit me from a different perspective.  As amazing as it will be to be "known," how much more incredible will it be for us to fully know God?  Right now, I can only know Him as much as my tiny little brain can hold and as much as the Holy Spirit reveals to me in my finite heart.  How much does God also desire for himself to be fully known by us? 


I thought about any other relationship we may have on this earth.  Usually, relationships begin to grow and develop as people learn more about each other. Typically, one person does not hold all the knowledge about the other (that would be called "stalking").  Instead, as each person grows in their insight about the other person, the relationship gets closer.  (Unless you learn more and begin to totally dislike what you are finding out!)  We all hope that as this relationship develops, it will get stronger when the other person learns more about what makes us tick, how we operate, the things we enjoy, our hopes, desires and dreams.  It's a cry of the human heart to be known and loved for who you really are.  


Also, in our relationship with God the same could be said.  Although He knows EVERYTHING about us, we can only fathom a small amount of the entirety of who He is while we are here on this earth.  Does He not desire to be known by us as well?  Not only known as much as our pea-sized minds can hold but REALLY known. One day, we will get the opportunity to stand before Him in all of His splendor and experience just that.  And as amazing that it will be to be fully known for who we are...how much more incredible will it be to know God for who HE truly is? 


"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face..."