You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. –Psalm 139:1-3

     We live in a very voyeuristic culture. Almost everyone carries a phone with a camera, and the images they capture with them usually make it onto social media for all the world to see. When a fellow citizen needs assistance, many people would rather record the moment than offer a helping hand.

     When I was a kid, in an effort to save money when there was little of it, the phone in our house was on a party line. That meant that the line was shared with a couple of other houses. I remember picking up the receiver to call my best friend one day only to hear someone else having a conversation. I remember how tempted I was to stay on the line and eavesdrop. But then I thought, “I wouldn’t want them listening to my conversations,” so I hung up.

     And then there’s the uniquely 21^st Century issue with government agencies spying on its own citizens through data mining and monitoring all communication. I am not a conspiracy theorist and I would like to think I have nothing to hide. But I still think we are entitled to a little privacy. Wouldn’t you agree?

     Even popular TV shows and movies often picture a sinister government agency spying on citizens – reading correspondence, recording calls, checking financial transactions, watching movements. We hate the possibility of that happening because we highly value privacy and resist control. And we carefully hide our secrets. This goes much further than e-mails, phone calls, and bank accounts; we also hide our sins of commission and omission. We may be afraid of being found out, discovered. Often, however, we simply fear rejection. What if the real person, hidden behind the facade, were uncovered? So, consider… What if someone knew…

• your deepest thoughts and emotions?
• your true motives?
• your complete personal history?
• your talents, abilities, and gifts?
• your dreams and desires?

     Would you feel threatened? Afraid? Embarrassed? Relieved?

     Well, God does know. He has “searched” you and me. He understands who we are, what we have done, and why we do what we do. He even knows our secrets. And yet he stands ready and eager to forgive, heal, correct, guide, affirm, protect, and conform us into the image of his Son (Romans 8: 29).

    God knows and wants what’s best for you. There’s no need to hide. You are totally known and you are completely and unconditionally loved. So, let’s stop hiding and fearing disclosure. Embrace the One who knows everything about you and loves you anyway! When you come clean, you get clean.