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Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) – Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

To be “known by God” is the ultimate maxim. Paul makes mention of the profoundness of this in Galatians 4:9 when he says, “But now that you know God – or rather are known by God...”. Paul expresses a portion of what David was inviting when he said, “know my heart”. There is a “knowing” of God that becomes possible when a person gives themselves over to the work of handing over the entirety of their life to the Father. It is the practice of abandonment – the placing of one motive or action at a time before God without any self-preserving intention to take it back. In response to genuine vulnerability, “The Lord confides in those who fear him; He makes his covenant known to them” (Psalm 25:14 (NIV)). No amount of study can teach what the Father shares in these moments. Vulnerability is not the end goal here – connection is. This is what David sought all along, persistently marching the vulnerable road. It is a place of testing. It is a place of piercing. It is a practice that continually redefines our commitment to Him.

Take one aspect of your life that is on your mind today and submit it to testing before God. To do this well, you must detach any expectations or ideas that you have associated with what you lay down before Him, and be ready to wait. Your greatest task here is to set your heart to listen, and take the place of a student, observing every detail you can about how He may be speaking to you, and allow Him the time to communicate. You are the student of your life. He is the Teacher. Connection is the win, as costly as it may be.

Prayer: David’s prayer is perfectly appropriate. Let this be – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”