S8 E8: How To Be Seen + Known
Hey hey, thanks for being here! I was planning on talking about something else today but found myself going back to something I had written down this weekend that is actually a continuation of last Thursday's episode. I was talking about one of the first scriptures we read about in scripture. Adam and Eve in the garden and eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the consequences of that. The consequence that the episode highlighted was the separation and shame that Eve and Adam took on after eating from the tree. The episode is Season 8 Ep. 6 and the title is Separation or Connection.
One of the thoughts I wrote was “We can’t be loved until we are seen + known…
And I was thinking through why in our humanity that is something we often times resist as much as our soul yearns to be seen and know
We cover ourselves and hide.
I think one reason we can do that is similar to some thoughts I shared in last week's episode… we are afraid that who we are will be judged and not measured up.
And when we are talking about being known and seen by other humans…there’s a good chance that you will experience both of those things.
I’m not saying that to be negative or discourage you from being known and seen. I’m just making sure you know that there is nothing wrong with you if you are finding those kinds of experiences in your life. And it can be disheartening when you are reaching out in a relationship and are met with judgment. And why judgment is such an easy place for us to go with others in a whole other episode…
If you’re on Instagram you might be someone who scrolls through your feed, views the images, reads the caption, and keeps scrolling. At times I am able to do that but I’m a comment reader. I mean I might love the actual post and laugh if it’s amusing, but give me some time in the comment section and you will hear me laughing throughout my house. Oh my goodness, it’s my favorite when people start chiming in adding their experiences and humor… it can be hilarious.
But as we all know… sometimes those comment sections can be a scary place to be…
I don’t know why I still get so shocked and riled up but I often times do at the responses of people. The hatefulness is surprising but what I cannot wrap my brain around is the people that will write a paragraph of judgment and instruction to the person who made the post.
For one if you had the kind of relationship with the person who posted you would be having that conversation over coffee or you have their actual phone number. So I continue to be utterly amazed at the time complete strangers will take to document their judgment of whatever it is that day… that they feel they have the authority to give their opinion about.
So we don’t lack evidence that in our humanity we can be quick to judge. It’s so easy. I fall for it all the time and as the words and opinions are coming out of my mouth I hear in my spirit…stop…shut up…
And when I find myself having a lot of these moments of easy judgment just overflowing out of my mouth it’s time for me to take a look at why…because when it comes out that easily…it is an overflow of my heart.
A heart condition that needs to be tended to.
And actually, when we are judgemental towards others we just bring it back on ourselves by feeling it and fearing it.
Which is definitely not a life of freedom.
When we receive judgement of the disapproval of someone our natural instinct can be to pull back and protect.
Rejection and judgment hurt so that’s a natural reaction.
But it’s too easy to stay there.
I was having a conversation with someone this past week about the rhythm of getting still and connecting with God and what we experience happening in our lives when we intentionally create this space.
And it’s what happens in us. It’s not all about what we are coming within the moment…it’s about us getting still… being seen… and in return being known.
And that’s at the core of all of us.
Needing to be loved, seen, and known
And it’s the sacred moments of stillness that this happens.
The creator of all that is sees us
And that strengthens us
To be seen by those around us.
When we don’t experience this perfect love
We can’t really experience real love from anyone else.
Because no matter how great the relationship with the partner or friend it can never fill the void and emptiness of identity and worthiness that only God can.
Yet we will spend our lives trying to fill our souls with relationships and things only to find out over and over again it can never ever satisfy.
You were created to be seen beautiful friend
Just like the sky and the trees you see today showing up in all their beauty just being who they were designed and created to be.
Being seen and known by him outside of relationship and time with him...
Well, there’s nothing like it.
It’s transformative and perfect love in action.
Be seen and known friend.
