O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. (NLT)

What’s your heart’s deepest desire? At your very core what do you yearn for most? Is it something you long for but lack? Or is it what you know you need and are so grateful to already have? We all have a need: to be seen, known, and loved. Not just seen, known, or loved, but all those things at the same time.

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As I look at the words written on this sticky note, “You accounted for my stubbornness when you made your plan for me,” I cannot help but think that for this statement to be true, I must be seen, known, and loved all at the same time in a way I can’t even fully comprehend. And yet, there have certainly been times in life that I’ve thought, “If I was known right now, how could anyone love me?” Amazingly though, we are seen, known, and loved all at the same time by the only One who truly knows us completely, our Creator.

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In Psalm 139 we are reminded of this beautiful truth: God knows you deeper than anyone else possibly could, vastly more than you even know yourself. And not only that, but he has known every moment of your life since long before you were even conceived. He sees and loves you, too. Let that sink in for a moment and rest in that reality.

Now think about how God truly accounted not only for our stubbornness but for every detail when he created you and me.  And despite our reservations, or even that we’ve rejected him, he loves us so much that he wants to take us, brokenness and all, and make us whole. I don’t know about you, but I’m in awe that I could be seen, known, and loved to that depth.

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So, if God sees me clearly, knows me fully, and loves me deeply, then how can I respond? Well friend, you can start by running into his open arms, accepting his invitation to the sweetest relationship you could ever have, and seeking the plan he has for you that accounted for it all. Maybe your next step is to ask God to break down your stubbornness, reservations, or barriers and to help you surrender completely. I promise that he is the only one who will never let you down and will always love you, even when you fail.

Father, thank you for seeing me, knowing me, and loving me, all at the same time.  Thank you for not giving up on me. You fulfill my heart’s deepest desires. Your love is sweet and your grace soothing. Help me to be led by your Spirit. Break the things in me that hold me back from the relationship and life you have planned for me. I love you because you first loved me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!