![[Drawing of the Good Shepherd]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/the_Good_Shepherd.jpg)
| “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” |
| —John 10:14b |
When you are somewhere in a large crowd—maybe at a concert or shopping at the mall—don’t you just delight when suddenly you see someone you know? You make an effort to get that one’s attention. The minute he or she recognizes you, a look of joy appears on his or her face.
“I know you! How are you? How’s your family? Oh! This is your daughter? What a beautiful little girl.”
I learned very early in my life that I was considered inferior by many members of the extended family into which I was inserted when my amazing and loving parents adopted me as an infant. Certain adult cousins spoke quite openly about the fact that they believed I was not really a part of the family because I was not born into it. They would often say, “He is not our blood.”
In addition, I was raised in a neighborhood that was mostly devoid of children. The children of the occupants of the nearby houses had grown up and moved away. My only exposure to other children came from very brief encounters each Sunday at church. I was conditioned to live a somewhat solitary existence. By the time I entered kindergarten, a certain social awkwardness was ingrained in me. To this day, I am extremely socially out of step with most other people.
Not surprisingly, in response to my circumstances, as a very young child I created an imaginary world into which I could retreat, especially when I felt the disdain of other people. As my imagination grew and became quite rich in substance and detail, I could quickly and easily escape almost every effort of others to react in a negative way toward me. Frankly, as someone who has made his living as a writer—someone who accumulates knowledge and then shares it with others—my rich imagination has served me well.
Nevertheless, I was, and am, very much an “odd man out.” I remain very socially awkward. Few people relate well to me. I have developed a high level of distrust toward other people. And, not at all without understanding, I have certain longings that will likely never be fulfilled in this life. The principle longing is to be known.
To be known means to be understood, appreciated, accepted, even loved. My intense study of psychology has taught me that every human—except those with the mental illness of sociopathic or psychopathic disorders—has a desire to be known. Most people receive that gift of being known from their family and friends.
Our Savior especially understood how important it is to “know and be known.” Notice His words recorded in John 10:14-15:
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
How fortunate we are to have such a Shepherd! The very thought that we are known by God should cause great amazement and gratitude to well up within our hearts and minds. I know that, in my own life, the fact that Jesus knows me brings a great comfort.
As we begin another day, let us be keenly aware of opportunities that God might give us to share His love with others. Let us cheerfully be ambassadors of our Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even as Jesus has declared that we are known, let’s realize that we have the opportunity to share such a knowing with each person who crosses the pathway of our lives. We can share this truth about Jesus. And, we can also be the source of knowing for others.
Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, October 12, 2015
