My greatest fear…

My greatest fear is not being known and never really knowing anyone. Fact.

Don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of people and a few know me. But what does it even mean to be known and to know? There are depths to each of us deeper than the deepest sea with breadth as wide as our ever expanding universe. I mean c’mon man, what else could it be if you really believe we’re ALL made in the image of God. We have become a surface society. We live veneer lives. We dance on the surface and are far too easily satisfied. We are meant for more, yet we mostly run. We run from knowing ourselves, our loved ones, and our few. We settle for knowing enough.

We believe the path to peace must be found in knowing more and doing even more. We want to know more things, discover more hacks, and do more with virtual reality. Dealing with the real you and me – not so much. We know a lot about people we’ve never met and very little about those we’re with. We chase social media acceptance and likes but can’t sit still, keep our mouth shut, and let a friend over share about something we’ve heard a hundred times already. We have lots of sex and little intimacy. We have money and spend it seeking meaning. We seek dopamine hits and highs. We can’t handle sitting with someone hurting who can’t manage a smile. We show the best parts of ourselves and fixate on the insecurities of others. We need to go back to kindergarten and remember what really matters.

So, today, during practice 27 with a team I love, we went back to kindergarten and talked with a bit more childlike curiosity and clarity. We didn’t sugarcoat shit and didn’t take away another’s shine. We spoke more truth and sent more love. We learned lil Bobby and I want more of the same thing. We both want to be deeply known and don’t understand why it’s so damn hard. We shared vulnerability, you know. He with his teammates and me with one of my apprentices. You see, friend, it is more blessed to give than to receive. Want to be deeply known? Never stop being insatiably curious about knowing your few, your spouse, lover, and even your hard to know father.

Stop running long enough to sit, you know. Slow down. 7&7, remember, is more than a good, hard drink. 7&7 is a gift of knowing you, the real you. Invest wisely. Know thyself (Thanks, Socrates). To thine own self be true (Thanks, Shakespeare). Fear not (Thanks, God), for I know you and have known you before you were born. Come to me for my heart is gentle and lowly (Thanks, Jesus). Today, give more than you take from your few. Give more. It is more blessed to give than receive (Thanks again, Jesus).

When was the last time you came clean with yourself and took the freakin’ crazy risk to open the hell up to another? Intimacy is a lovely aim, right? Yes, yes it is. And just like the truth, it will set you free – someday. In the meantime, however, it just might make you miserable (Thanks, Richard Rohr). Damn. Dancing on the surface is attractive ‘cause it’s easier. So, what do you want? Knowing more or settling for knowing enough? Being known (depth and breadth) or settling for surface? You choose. Your choices have consequences. Now you know a little more about me. Thanks for reading. What’s your greatest fear, friend?

Live hard. Love harder…