Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?”  Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Am I the only one who finds this terrifying?

Don’t get me wrong.  It’s not like I’m out there prophesying and performing miracles…although I do teach middle school, so the driving out demons part…

No, I get terrified by the thought that Jesus might one day say to me, “Hey!  I don’t know you! Back off, Pal!” I think that maybe I haven’t prayed enough, or studied enough, or meditated enough, or been enough for him to know me, to accept me, to–

–and then I realize–

Once again, I’m worried about earning what I already have.

What was I thinking?  Of course he knows me!  He’s been with me every moment of every hour since I surrendered my heart and my throne to him.  He’s seen me at my very best–which is none too great–and my very worst. He’s heard the thoughts that I share with no one else.

He’s been in the car with me when some idiot cuts me off.

Beloved, if you’ve opened the door, if you’ve asked Jesus to come into your heart and life and to forgive you and make you whole…he has.  It’s an invitation he has promised never to turn down. The miracle isn’t that he knows us; it’s that he knows us to the core–and loves us still.

Which he does.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.