Genesis 3:8–11 ‘Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”’(vv8–9)
Early in Scripture, God asks the critical question we face every day, ‘Where are you?’ Like Adam we may feel we can hide from God’s scrutiny, but there is nowhere we can go to escape God’s gaze (Psa. 139:7–12). Indeed, the question requires an answer on two levels: one where we describe our physical position; the second, far more challenging, our metaphysical condition, or what is the real meaning and purpose of our life?
Each of us is more than our physical state. Everyone reflects on the meaning of existence. This is the question God always poses. When we seek to answer it from a moral standpoint, we miss the reason for the question, as the Pharisees discovered. It requires a change of heart so that we might realign ourselves with God’s purpose. It is not the Law itself that directs us, but the Spirit who gave birth to the Law, always a guide directing us towards personal friendship with God (Gal. 3:21–22).
One cause for loneliness, and the fear that is its constant companion, is separation from God. Adam found disobedience led to fear which itself drove him and Eve to seek to hide from God, the only source of life – life that created them both. We are always to seek open friendship with God through the work of Christ on the cross. Through baptism we are cleansed and restored to the friendship Adam lost (Rom. 6:1–4). Daily we seek to remain in close proximity to the source of our life and liberty.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Deut. 6:1–12; Jer. 31:27–40; Luke 11:37–54; Gal. 3:23–29.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Time to respond to God’s critical question, ‘Where are you?’ Ask yourself this question and take time to reflect and respond with honesty to God.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, I choose to seek You while You may be found and to call on You while You are near. Amen.’ (Isa. 55:6)
Photo by Moondigger on wikimediacommons
