None of us like the idea of our lives being available for the public to see. We like our privacy. I meet many people who still don't want to participate in Facebook because of the fear they have of their privacy being violated.
A close neighbor was robbed while she was out on her daily walk...right in prime daylight. How did they know her schedule? I found this very unsettling!
There is a distinct difference between someone knowing everything about you without your permission and slowly lifting the veil of your life in front of a friend, allowing them to peer into the depths of your heart.
In Psalm 139, David opens a conversation with God by saying "O Eternal One, You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am; You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again. Even when I am far away, You know what I’m thinking."
Part way through this acknowledgement that God knows exactly who he is, he continues....
"You see all things; nothing about me was hidden from You as I took shape in secret, carefully crafted in the heart of the earth before I was born from its womb."
But right near the end of the chapter, he invites God to know him.
"Explore me, O God, and know the real me. Dig deeply and discover who I am. Put me to the test and watch how I handle the strain. Examine me to see if there is an evil bone in me, and guide me down Your path forever." (The Voice)
I find it interesting that sandwiched between an opening acknowledgement of being known by God and closing permission granted to be examined by God is a listing of all the things God knew about David. Why then, does he give God permission to know him at the end? Doesn't God already know him? Didn't he just spend a lot of breath stating the obvious?
I believe it's significant.
Yes, God knows every detail of our lives. Our birthdate, our death date. How many hairs we have (or don't have).
When I choose the "public" option on my Facebook settings, I am agreeing to let everyone see everything I post. I am opening myself up to their compliments and scrutiny. If I don't want that kind of vulnerability, I need to choose "private".
Giving God complete access to every area of our heart is like choosing the "public" option. Oh yes - He already knows us. But giving Him permission to really know us means that we are agreeing to let Him in.
So here's how I often pray......"Father, you know the hopes and dreams I hold inside. You see the plans I am making based on desires I believe you have placed inside me. But today, I give you permission to oversee them. To put them in order according to Your plans. Look inside me and see everything there is to see. Search my intentions...and then show me. I open my hands to You as symbol that my heart and life are completely open."
Your privacy settings ARE safe with God. Giving Him permission is like choosing the 'public' setting though. You are now taking everything to a new level of trust with Him.
I find it interesting that sandwiched between an opening acknowledgement of being known by God and closing permission granted to be examined by God is a listing of all the things God knew about David. Why then, does he give God permission to know him at the end? Doesn't God already know him? Didn't he just spend a lot of breath stating the obvious?
I believe it's significant.
Yes, God knows every detail of our lives. Our birthdate, our death date. How many hairs we have (or don't have).
When I choose the "public" option on my Facebook settings, I am agreeing to let everyone see everything I post. I am opening myself up to their compliments and scrutiny. If I don't want that kind of vulnerability, I need to choose "private".
Giving God complete access to every area of our heart is like choosing the "public" option. Oh yes - He already knows us. But giving Him permission to really know us means that we are agreeing to let Him in.
So here's how I often pray......"Father, you know the hopes and dreams I hold inside. You see the plans I am making based on desires I believe you have placed inside me. But today, I give you permission to oversee them. To put them in order according to Your plans. Look inside me and see everything there is to see. Search my intentions...and then show me. I open my hands to You as symbol that my heart and life are completely open."
Your privacy settings ARE safe with God. Giving Him permission is like choosing the 'public' setting though. You are now taking everything to a new level of trust with Him.
