Ponderations on Being Known...

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,

and they're always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see,

our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows

Your name.

You wanna go where people know,

people are all the same,

You wanna go where everybody knows

your name.

If you're like me, you grew up watching Cheers. Well actually I didn't grow up watching it but I do remember the song. I've always liked how in shows like Cheers, Seinfeld or Friends they have a place to hang out. They can go there and the people who work there know them by name. No need to even order because they already know what you want.

I still remember how it felt after working at the General Conference building for several months when the security guard at the door not only recognized me but actually said "Good morning, Christian!". Wow! What a feeling! To walk in to such a place and be known by name. Contrast that with the day I went there for the interview and got sent around to the guest entrance. Even after several weeks of working there I'd get suspicious looks and if for some reason I forgot my badge…back to the GUEST entrance! Being known is a great feeling.

As great as all that is it's still very superficial.

There are some people who know me so well that we don't even need to speak to communicate. A simple look or gesture can tell a whole story. Even from across a crowded room, a glance can cause an eruption of laughter. We have spent so much time and experienced so much together that it becomes easy to predict and anticipate what the other might do.

Then there are friends who go even deeper. These are the people that you can be your TRUE self around. They know exactly who you are and you have no need to wear a mask or pretend around them. You can relax and just be. It's great to be able to speak freely and act authentically.

I think that Church should be like Cheers. I'm not speaking of the physical building rather the community of people that make up church. It should be a group of people that help you make your way in the world. It's a group where everyone realizes that we're all just people. We're all human, but we're in this together. Maybe this group even knows your name! It should be a place where you can feel "known." Imagine what "church" would be like if we all actually knew each other. No more masks…no more being fake...no judging or comparing our sins with someone else's. A place where they are glad to see you.  

Even if I never find the Cheers Church I do take comfort in the fact that there is someone who truly knows me. He knew me even before I was born. With Him I can be authentic and real. He knows everything so I'm free to be me. He is where I can go when worries way me down. He's always glad I came and He knows my name. It's nice to be known.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."
Psalm 139:13 (New International Version)

"Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name."
Isaiah 49:1 (New International Version)

That's all I've got...just some ponderations...