Lizzy can see things Mary & I don’t. The slightest movement catches her attention. But she also uses all her senses (smell, hearing and touch) to search and know what is going on. Once something gets her attention it is difficult to distract her. She is focused. What usually follows is her barking or announcing, “There’s something out there!”

Lizzy also uses her senses to observe our habits. Mary & I noticed her ability early on when she was a puppy. Minutes before we were going to leave, she would get in her kennel without being asked. Mary & I would look at each other and ask, “Is she reading our mind? How did she know we were leaving?” She knew because knowing was important to her. She had studied us, to know us.

There is a difference between “knowing about” someone and “knowing” the person. Over the years I have recognized two distinct groups of people attending church. Some attend church to know about Jesus. They may be able to recite memory verses and carry on conversations about complex theological ideas. Then there are the people who know Jesus personally. They have intentionally taken the time to study Jesus…to learn His heart…to know what is important to Him. They use their senses throughout the day to observe people & events so they can respond in a way to please Jesus. In short, they have intentionally learned to see through the eyes of Jesus.

When you think about it, nothing has changed. The Pharisees knew about Jesus, but it was Mary Magdalene who knew the heart of Jesus. She was the first person to see Jesus after His Resurrection. It happened at the empty tomb. “Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” Don’t miss this powerful question for your life. It gives focus…intentionality…purpose.

Now listen carefully to what happens next. “She thought He was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will go and get Him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!”” When Jesus called her name, she knew it was Him. She had no doubt. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

The world knows each of us as a number, but God knows them by their name. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine”. Isaiah 43:1 Ponder that!

When we know Jesus personally, our confidence changes from ourselves to Him. We recognize that only Jesus has the transformational power to change “impossible.” In Matthew 19:26 He said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Isn’t time you quit “trying” to do life on your own? Wouldn’t you like to start enjoying the Peace that surpasses all understand (Phil 4:9)? It begins with “Being still”…having a one-on-one conversation with Him and daily discovering His love found in the Bible. It’s a process.

It is through this process you will discover He has changed you. It is then you can proclaim, “I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“Who are you looking for?”