On social media (okay, Facebook) you might occasionally see a posting or “meme” with a seemingly hidden meaning that only a few people get. It is oftentimes captioned with “IYKYK” meaning “if you know, you know”. The word “know” also has some hidden, unexpected meanings in the Bible. For instance, referring to Joseph and Mary. King James Version says that Joseph did not “know” Mary, which meant they had not had sexual relations. In our Christian faith, knowing can be just as elusive and perplexing. Can we truly say “IYKYK” being off-putting to those who might not “get it”?

The very moment of coming to faith, whether it is like a lightning bolt or the waters of baptism, raises questions about when you know you’ve got it. Altar calls and “praying the sinner’s pray” don’t make it easy, in my opinion. When it’s all about the event, it oftentimes doesn’t take. But when we approach our walk with God as just that – embarking on a journey with The Almighty that may have moments of doubt – there is room for growth, for knowing that we will never in our mortal core, on this earthen core, know completely everything. We leave space and room for wonder.

Knowing is more about feeling when it comes to faith, and far less about intellect. This is where we lose a lot of people who are trying to figure it out in their head without surrendering their heart. There may never be an IYKYK moment. Instead, it comes when your heart knows. God’s unconditional love for us is not a matter of if, but when. When Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again. When Holy Scripture was placed in our hands for our personal faith formation. When Christ comes again. When we will know, we will know – ya know?

Pastor Art