Where Are You?
Author: Dave BerothIt was the first time we split up on a hunt. Levi went to the east along the ridge, Matthew took to the west toward the logging road, and I covered the middle. After about twenty minutes, we were out of each other’s sight.
I had given them good directions for where and what time we would meet so they could pace themselves. Both had compasses and survival packs. Both had walked with me on many hunts. Yet, my concern grew when I found myself alone at our chosen destination. I waited for ten minutes, then another ten. It began to snow heavily, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I began to yell, “Where are you?”
Within a few minutes both the boys appeared through the woods. As we all stood on the road, they both said, “What’s with the yelling? You probably scared all the deer out of these woods!” I didn’t really care about the deer; I wanted to know where my boys were.
The first question that God asked in the Bible was the same one I asked my boys. It comes from the creation story in the book of Genesis.
Adam and Eve broke the only rule they had been given. The consequences, of course, were tragic. Closeness with God and with each other was damaged by separation.
Adam and Eve covered themselves and they hid from God behind some trees in the garden.
My favorite part in the story is the surprising, wonderful words: ‘But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”’ (Genesis 3:9, New International Version).
We are told the reason they hid from God. They were afraid. They thought he might ambush and punish them.
I have often wondered what was going on inside Adam and Eve that day. More importantly, what was going on in the heart of God?
This question “Where are you?” reminds us that God always pursues us in love. When God asks us where we are, He is revealing that He grieves over the distance between us.
He pursues us with a never ending love.
Perhaps one of the most important questions anyone can ask himself is the question God asked Adam and Eve, “Where are you?”
Where are you, in this moment, in your journey with God?
Why and how do you sometimes hide from God?