Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 22, 2019
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Marriage has changed me in many ways for the better. I am more organized and less scattered. I am more giving and less selfish. But one thing has liberated me in a way I would have never understood before I walked the aisle: being fully known but still being loved. This, more than just about any other experience of marriage, has helped me to experience inner healing from past rejection in a way I would have never thought possible. Being known but still being loved is healing for the human heart.
In his book The Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller writes:
“When over the years someone has seen you at your worst, and knows you with all your strengths and flaws, yet commits him or herself to you wholly, it is a consummate experience. 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.”
Indeed, it can.
These words are true, not only for marriage, but for every kind of relationship. When we are fully known and others see our frailties and faults and love us still, there is a peace that comes into our souls and we are strengthened to deal with life’s difficulties.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
I know two young women who have struggled with addictions, the result of Satan taking advantage of their wounded hearts that were abused during childhood. But both of these wise young ladies surrounded themselves with a support network to help them get free from the grip of sin as part of their recovery. What both of them discovered is that they are loved in spite of their sin, failure, and flaws. And this acceptance has given them the courage they need to beat their troubles.
They have overcome their addictions, not in spite of being known; they have overcome their addictions because they have been fully known.
It’s only when we are fully known that we can be fully loved—and being fully loved provides strength for our journey that we just can’t experience in life any other way.
“Love. . .keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Prayer
Lord, please help me to be a safe person for those around me so that they can share their flaws and sins and I can give them the gift of being known but loved. And Lord, please provide someone in my life who will do the same. This kind of love is a picture of you. Thank you for loving me this way, Lord. Amen.
Application
Is there someone in your life you can show love to today in spite of their sins?
Related Reading
Genesis 3:7; Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 13:13
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Being fully known, but still being loved is healing for the human heart. #WisdomHunters #FullyKnown&Loved
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