Cari Willis

I have been intrigued lately with the questions in the Bible. Almost all of them are questions we need to ask ourselves. The first question in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:9 as God simply asks Adam and Eve

“Where are you?”

“Where are you?” As I thought about this question, I realized I get asked this question by my friends when they are seriously worried about my emotional or mental state. “Where are you?” asks you to confront where you are in your life and to tell what is really happening. It asks for you to be authentic. It reaches into your dark places and asks that you shed a light there. “Where are you? What is really happening in your life right now that has you in the place you are?”

God is not asking Adam and Eve where they are physically in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve have both eaten of the forbidden fruit. They have both realized that they are naked, which has them scurrying around to find some really big leaves in order to cover themselves up. And of course, God can see these “new creations” hiding amongst the trees.

When God asks Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” God is asking them to come clean with what they are thinking. He is really asking “Where are you that you would believe a snake over me? Where are you that you would allow yourself to be led astray so easily? Where are you that you would question my love for you and my plan for you? Where are you that you think your wisdom can equal mine?”

This question forces me to look at myself and ask “Where am I?” Where am I in my path of life? Am I living the life I had hoped to be? Am I following the path that God has set out for my life? Am I being the hand of compassion, the intent ear of care, and the arm to hold others? Where am I in relationship to God? Where am I in terms of my belief that God will indeed always love me and never leave me? Do I think I am as wise as God and so not in need of God? Where am I?

From the very beginning, God wants us to examine ourselves for who we really are. From the start, God wants us to enter the relationship with stripped down, bare and naked honesty. The author of creation, the giver of light, the maker of Heaven and Earth says “I know where you are. But just for a minute, why don’t you tell me where you think you are. Tell me what you are feeling. Tell me what your hopes and fears are. Tell me where you messed up. Tell me when you are sorrowful and mournful. Just tell me.”

Adam and Eve hiding from God seems laughable in Genesis chapter three. And yet, if we are honest with ourselves we spend a lot of time doing exactly the same thing. Maybe God won’t notice if I haven’t spent the time I needed to with my family. Maybe God won’t notice if I don’t take a minute to pray for my friend who is in need. Maybe God won’t notice that I prefer to watch the reruns of Friends rather than reaching out to one who could use a cheerful voice. Maybe God won’t notice if I have not spent time reading the Bible today. Maybe God won’t notice if I missed church this week. Maybe God won’t notice if I think my wise choices are better than God’s choices. And as we stand behind the trees, we realize the God of creation sees us where we really are and asks

“Where are you?”

I don’t think it is a coincidence that the first question God asks is “Where are you?” It is the fundamental question we need to ask ourselves. It calls us like no other question to really examine our lives. It asks us to lay bare the truth of our lives and be completely stripped of any pretense.