Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29‭-‬31 NIVUK

So, my hair has started falling out.  I will shortly shave my head before things get too messy.  Hair loss is one of the most visible outward signs that someone is going through cancer treatment.  I’m fortunate in this, apart from the initial shock to me and those around me, I will quickly get used to it.  For many this is a very traumatic experience, as it has such a profound effect on our outward appearance. Something that is difficult to hide away from.

These verses may make it seem like I’m making light of this but I’m not.
In these verses Jesus sends his disciples out to tell the world about the kingdom of God.  He instructs them, encourages them and warns them of the opposition they may face.  He tells them not to be afraid and then in the verses above he reminds of how much the Father cares for them.

This is a very intimate illustration not only of how much God cares for us but also how well he knows us.

Knowledge is, of course, a good thing to pursue.  Spending our time getting to know and understand God is a healthy part of what it is to follow Jesus.  But it’s not the same as being known.  Being known requires a relationship.

In our relationships with others we can try to limit what people know about us.  Those closest to us will know our flaws and weaknesses, but even then we may hold back some things.

But we can’t hide anything from God.  Our relationship with him begins with him knowing us completely.  Far from being something to fear this should be of great comfort to us.  Because of and despite everything we are and everything we’ve done; God chose us and cares for us.
So, we don’t have to come to him with any pretense or any caveats.  We can approach God with confidence.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

A lifetime of getting to know God will do us so much good, but it will only scratch the surface of his love, mercy and grace for us. God has known us completely from the beginning, nothing we do or say will ever change how he feels about us.  He numbers every hair that has fallen from my head and every one that will grow back.  He values us perhaps more than we will ever fully realise.

This knowledge should change how we view ourselves and how we view others.  Hair loss may change how I outwardly look, but being known by God changes me from the inside out.