Where are you?
Genesis 3:8-10
8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
The following reflection comes from John Ortberg’s book, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You. I can’t think of a better way to say it, so I’m going to use his words:
One of the most intriguing phrases in the Bible is where Adam and Eve “…heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” God is Spirit, which means he doesn’t have a body, legs, or feet. What does it sound like when God goes for a walk?
The point of this remarkable phrase is that walking is something you do with somebody you care about – a friend with a friend, a child with a parent. Two people in love would go for a walk. It’s not really about the walk; it’s about being with someone. This God – this God of the Bible – is a God who wants to “be with.” Our souls were made to walk with God.
But the man and the woman sin, deliberately hiding from God among the trees of the garden. Yet God would not be denied. He went after them – in fact, the whole narrative of the Bible is all about God going after us. Relentlessly pursuing us. As Adam and Eve hid behind the trees God created, he called out, “Where are you?” Physically, he knew exactly where they were. What God was really asking was, “Where are you in relation to me?” All God has ever wanted is to be with you, with me.” (Zondervan, 2014; p. 117)
Where are you? Where are you in relation to God? Perhaps this brief daily devotion gives you an opportunity to ponder the question and perhaps act on something that will bring God closer to you. All God has ever wanted to do is be with you. As God approaches you, will you take the time to walk with God?
Let us pray… Most holy and gracious God. Continue to open our eyes to see you, our ears to hear you, our hearts to receive you. Give us the desire and the joy of walking with you every day as we pray in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.