But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9
After Adam sinned, he hid himself. But God called him and said “ayyekkah,” where are you? A single word that showed God's pursuit, openness for Adam's repentance, ability to redeem and desire for reconciliation.
Have you ever blown it, headed down a wrong direction in life only to finally look up and wonder how you got there? We can find ourselves hiding from God when we’ve gone off the rails -maybe not physically, but emotionally or spiritually.
“Where are you?”
Was God blind to where Adam was? Of course not. But it was a question that would hopefully provoke reflection and response. Adam – where is your heart aligned? Where are you that you are not sitting here with Me?
It is in God’s loving character that His first words were of invitation. He didn’t ask what have you done – but rather where are you in relation to Me. Where is the state of your soul?
When the Spirit whispers that to me, He invites me to assess my situation and respond to Him. “Where are you?” He knows. But He wants me to know. My position is revealed through Spirit led reflection - if I dare.
And as I consider the question, I can choose to respond with repentance and renewed service (Hinini – here I am). Or, like Adam, I can make excuses and deny my lost condition.
Where am I? A question to answer every day. Am I hiding in busyness? Or distraction? Have I slowly slipped from my First Love?
I am grateful God not only invites me to assess my situation but also to respond to Him. Lord, search my heart. Lead me to repent. Lead me to praise. Lead me to You.
