Where Are You?
Genesis is the book of beginnings. Chapters one and two deal with the creation of the first man and woman- Adam and Eve. God created them and placed them in the Garden of Eden with the express commands not to eat of the tree of knowledge and evil. Genesis 3 carries the the story of the rebellion of humanity. In verse 9, we meet the first question ever asked by God to humanity after the fall- “Where are you?”
Where are you? People often ask us this question, or we ask it of them all the time. This is more applicable today with mobile phones. Unlike the ‘good old days’ when we knew exactly where people were when we phoned them, these days, they could be anywhere in this vast world.
Where are you? We ask when they want to know other people’s position on issues of the day. Issues like vaccination with regard to COVID -19, homosexuality, politics and even religion.
It is also the kind of question someone might ask us when we seem distracted, or not paying attention. “Where are you, where did you go?” Either you have lost track or you are scatter brained etc. Or maybe, like Adam, we are hiding out, afraid to face or deal with something that needs our attention.
So it is often an unsettling question… because sometimes we don’t know where we are, we don’t know how we’re feeling, or what our thoughts are on certain issues, or…. perhaps it’s because we don’t like how we’re feeling, and we’d prefer not to get in touch with it.
So this is the same question that God asked Adam. Do you think the omnipresent God did not know where they were?
In the Bible, God doesn't ask questions for his own sake – he isn’t seeking information He doesn’t already know. He asks questions to give us the opportunity to search our hearts. He asks questions to reveal who we are – and more importantly, who He is to us. God knew where Adam was, but He wanted Adam to take an inward look at himself. Where are you Adam? His truthful answer should have been: "I'm over here hiding because I have sinned against You."
The truth is that Adam and Eve had sinned and they should have responded as such. Instead what was their response?
They were afraid and ran into hiding away form God who until now was their friend. Fear drove them to hide from God
They were filled with guilt and shame. That is what sine does, it leaves us ashamed and embarrassed resulting to alienation from both God and others. Guilt is the experience that says, “I’ve done something wrong.” But shame says, “Something is wrong with me.” Guilt says “I’ve done bad.” Shame says, “I am bad.” For self protection, they sought to cover themselves up. Adam’s response (3:10): “I was afraid because I was naked. ” Not, “because I sinned,” but, “because I was naked.” The problem was not his nakedness but his sin The voice of shame tells us, “If they really saw me, the real me, they’d reject me.” Your kids avoid you when they know they are guilty, you avoid your boss, spouse, friend etc.
To evade shame they started the blame game in an effort to remove the spotlight form themselves. . Adam blamed Eve and God. Eve blamed the serpent. Sadly, blame leads to more relational alienation and disconnection. Blame does not take away shame and guilt, it only creates more problems.
Let us now personalize the question. Where are you?
Where are you? Is an important question for us. A question to ask ourselves, and also a question we allow God to ask us. To be able to name where we are, means having to ask, how did I get here? Where have I come from? What choices brought me to this place? What patterns of behaviour have i embraced?
To confront this question with a sincere heart will put you on the right track to receive direction from God. This same question was asked of Cain, Elijah, Paul and God is asking you today. Where are you?