“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”    John 10:14 

I believe we are a people who desire or even better yet yearn to be fully known by others. We want others to know who we are, what we love doing, what makes us happy, and what scares us. But if we are honest with ourselves, it is hard to be truly known. To be truly known means we have to truly be vulnerable by allowing others to see us in our good and in our bad times. It is for this reason I believe many of us have never felt like we are truly known. 

In the famous passage of John 10:14, Jesus reminds us that, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep; and my sheep know me.” As I think of this passage it reminds me that there is one who truly knows me: the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Christ. For Jesus knows my fears, doubts, worries, and things that I’ve done -- both those that I’m ashamed of and those I am proud of. Jesus also knows my hopes and dreams for the future. And, even better, because Jesus knows these things about me, He is already working on my behalf to protect and console me as my father in heaven.

As a father, I too know certain things that will make my boys scared or worried or afraid or excited or happy. I can lean into my role as a shepherd to my sons helping them so that as they face their worries and fears, they will not be over taken by them. It is in a child's nature to be curious about things that we as parents know might not be good for them, such as books or games that are beyond their age level. Often my oldest son, Ethan, will ask me if he can get a new game on his iPad, but he knows that my wife and I will review the game before we make a decision. Just recently, we told him "no" to a new game because the elements of surprise scare attacks in a dark environment that is hard to see when it's late at night are all things we know will scare him and make it difficult to go to sleep. After many nights of comforting Ethan from a nightmare or being unable to fall asleep, I truly know him and try to protect him from harm. During the tough nights when my boys are afraid or sick, I am with them and I know what they need to get back to sleep. And because I know they both crave individual time with me, I scheduled time to take each of them skiing, which makes them happy and gives me a chance to get to know them better.

The same is true with our father in heaven, God. He knows us even better than we know ourselves and therefore is already at work caring and providing for us when we face challenging or scary times.  As we reflect on our lives during this season of Lent, may we remember that no matter what we encounter, God faces it with us because He knows and loves us. 

Prayer: Good shepherd, You know me better than I know myself. Remind me each and every day that You are preparing a way for me no matter what I face. Amen.