If there’s one thing I’ve learned from walking with Jesus these last many years, it’s that he wants to know each one of us in a deep and true way.

It seems a little funny to say that because he already does know us — even better than we know ourselves, even. He doesn’t require us to tell him about ourselves in order to know the truth of who we are and what’s inside of us.

However, there’s a difference between knowing God knows the depths of our hearts and choosing to be known in the depths of our hearts. Isn’t there?

It’s like the difference between saying, “Why should I pray? God already knows what I’m going to say or ask anyway,” and consciously choosing to speak to God about the things that lay bare the thoughts and questions and requests we have. The first one accepts that God is God and knows everything. The second one involves us in the process and creates a connection. It creates a relationship between us and God.

I have learned over and over that walking with Jesus is a process of becoming known in this second way: of opening our hearts to him and choosing to be known.

And the amazing, beautiful thing about it is that he wants to know you in this way more than anything. He listens. He waits. He pays attention. He cares to hear what you have to say. He takes it seriously. He is fully present to you.

Do you choose to let yourself be known by Jesus in this way? Do you want to? Why or why not?