be {known} - part one

Recently I posted a question on Facebook. It simply asked,

"In your opinion, what is the greatest longing of the human heart?"

I received about 42 responses. Most people said they believed love was the greatest longing of the human heart, hands down. Last week I probably would've given the same answer. Just a few people responded, "acceptance." Fewer still gave me the answer I was looking for. 

I believe the greatest longing of the human heart is to be known.

It's what we lost in the Garden. God shows up in the cool of the day after the infamous apple-fest with the local viper and all of a sudden Adam and Eve are in hiding.

"Where are you?" God cried out.

You know it's a bad day when the Creator of the universe has lost you. Seriously though, what exactly was God trying to communicate?

Through their disobedience, Adam and Eve lost their position of knowing. The face-to-Face place. Knowing God and truly knowing one another. The serpent lied to them. They most certainly did feel the pang of death immediately. Not physical death, though I wonder if they wished in that moment that the ground would cover them up forever. No, a fate worse than physical death - separation from the One Who loved them more than life itself.

It was in the knowing that knowledge and wisdom and creativity was passed without effort. It was in the face-to-Face place where their hearts were enlarged and filled to overflowing with the love of God. Intimacy was cultivated, and life was abundant. God knew Adam, Adam knew Eve and children were born. Fruitfulness comes from this place of knowing and being known.

You see, love cannot possibly be the greatest longing of the human heart, because love is a symptom of being known.

Jesus knew the importance of being known, and tried to bring revelation to His disciples. He wanted them to experience first-hand the wonder and excitement of it all.

17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do."

{Luke 10:17-21 NIV}

Please wrap your heart around what Jesus just said. Don't rejoice that demons are subject to you, but instead rejoice that HEAVEN KNOWS YOUR NAME. When we receive a revelation that our very names are written in the records of heaven, hope comes. Joy comes! That heaviness you've been carrying - obliterated. That hopelessness and despair that's been clinging to you like a straight-jacket? Gone! When you carry a revelation that you are known in heaven, it's not much of a stretch to begin to imagine all of heaven's resources at your disposal to accomplish everything God has called you to do. It's not hard to believe that angels are sent to minister to you, or that God loves you. It's easy. Start asking Him for the revelation that you are known. He longs to reveal Himself to you! Don't be surprised when He blows your mind with His goodness. His favorite place in the universe is face-to-Face with you. Jesus paid a steep price through dying on a cross to have that blessed privilege.

Jesus is looking you in the eyes right this moment. Can you see Him? Listen to what He is whispering to your anxious heart:

"I KNOW who you are. You are Mine!"