If you knew.
I have been reading through John lately and there are very random, small words that have been beating at my heart. Today I had set up to read John 4-6. Not more than 10 verses in I was hit.
John 4:10 “Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew…’”
The verse goes on and tells an excellent story but today I didn’t need to go beyond that point.
“If you knew.”
When you become a parent all of a sudden all the descriptions of God as a parent make sense. None so much as this, “If you knew.”
If you knew…that would hurt.
If you knew…how much it hurt me.
If you knew…this to would end.
If you knew…what was waiting around that corner.
If you knew…what I offered.
If you knew…my power.
If you knew…my peace.
If you knew…my love for you.
If you knew…I am right here.
If you knew.
God broadsided me with these three simple words today. It’s not profound or surprising information. Most days we would fly over these three simple words while reading. Most days we know. We know what the day will consist of. We know how we’ll get to work (or wherever we need to go). We know what we’ll have for lunch. We know where our family will be. We know. We think we know. So do toddlers.
But these things we do know:
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
"…Know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
We know these things but if only we knew.
I’m relieved that my salvation is not through things I know. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 11:22-24), “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
My salvation is in Christ and what he knows, now I strive to know Him.
John 4:10 “Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew…’”
The verse goes on and tells an excellent story but today I didn’t need to go beyond that point.
“If you knew.”
When you become a parent all of a sudden all the descriptions of God as a parent make sense. None so much as this, “If you knew.”
If you knew…that would hurt.
If you knew…how much it hurt me.
If you knew…this to would end.
If you knew…what was waiting around that corner.
If you knew…what I offered.
If you knew…my power.
If you knew…my peace.
If you knew…my love for you.
If you knew…I am right here.
If you knew.
God broadsided me with these three simple words today. It’s not profound or surprising information. Most days we would fly over these three simple words while reading. Most days we know. We know what the day will consist of. We know how we’ll get to work (or wherever we need to go). We know what we’ll have for lunch. We know where our family will be. We know. We think we know. So do toddlers.
But these things we do know:
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:25
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
"…Know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
We know these things but if only we knew.
I’m relieved that my salvation is not through things I know. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 11:22-24), “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
My salvation is in Christ and what he knows, now I strive to know Him.
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